Gospel Light Christian Church Thru-The-Bible Series (24.2)

The Book of Genesis

Genesis Chapter 46:28 to 47:1-26 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

The Presentation of Joseph’s Family to Pharaoh

v.28-30 When Israel arrived in Egypt, he “sent Judah before him unto Joseph” (v.28) and Joseph met his father in another tearful reunion – weeping “on his neck a good while” (v.29).  Israel’s statement, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face” (v.30), does not mean that he wished to die at that moment but that he was completely satisfied because he has seen Joseph again with his own eyes and knows that Joseph is well.

v.31-34 Joseph proceeded to plan carefully for a proper introduction of his family to Pharaoh.  He informed his family that he would first approach Pharaoh to announce their arrival, and to inform him of their occupation (v.31-32).  He instructed his brothers to answer Pharaoh’s question (v.30) cautiously by de-emphasising their sheep and emphasising their cattle because “every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians” (v.34).  It is important to understand that Joseph was not trying to deceive Pharaoh (which would be impossible) but he was aiding his brothers to present themselves in the best possible light and thus to quickly gain Pharaoh’s favour.  The Pharaoh’s favour would gain for the family immediate and free access to Goshen, an ideal land that is well suited for flocks and herds, which is also near the capital but isolated from the Egyptians – permitting the Hebrews to live their own lives and practice their own culture.

Chapter 47

v.1-6 After Joseph had informed Pharaoh of the arrival of his family (v.1), he presented to him first five of his brethren, whom he selected (v.2).  Their approach to Pharaoh was magnificently forthright and honest.  When Pharaoh asked about their occupation, they answered that they, like their ancestors, were shepherds (v.3) and added that the famine had eliminated pasture in Canaan and requested the privilege of dwelling in Goshen (v.4).  Pharaoh’s response to Joseph (v.5) indicated that he was evidently satisfied for he gave to them “the best of the land…the land of Goshen” and even requested “any men of activity…[to be] rulers over [his own] cattle” (v.6).

v.7-10 Overwhelmed by Pharaoh’s generosity, “Jacob blessed Pharaoh” (v.7) when he appeared before him.  In a warm scene, the king displayed genuine personal concern towards Jacob and asked him his age (v.8).  Jacob’s reply was a significant description of his life – “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been…” (v.9).  Jacob’s 130 years seemed to him “few” by comparison with Abraham’s 175 and Isaac’s 180; his years seemed “evil” in that he had been constantly confronted by distress, anger, tribulation, and anguish – much of it his own doing.  His words must have been sobering for his family.  Here was the dilemma of Jacob’s life – he was the channel of divine blessing to the world, but his days were few and filled with trouble.  Many believers who had chosen to live like Jacob have had to confess the same.

However, it is also good to notice how changed a man Jacob is here.  If it had been the old Jacob, this would have the place for him to boast about how much of life he had seen, how he pulled one over his brother Esau, how he accumulated wealth in Haran, how he had twelve children, how he had accomplish a great deal, and so on.  Instead, he declared that he had nothing to brag about when he says that he doesn’t measure up to his fathers!  He has learned to give glory to God alone and became an instrument through which God can indeed bless others – for the second time “Jacob blessed Pharaoh” (v.10).  As the recipient of the promised blessings that began with Abraham, his words of blessing were more than a wish; he spoke for God in granting a blessing to Pharaoh, one that began shortly through the wise administration of Joseph as we shall soon observe.

v.11-12 Joseph exceeded the brothers’ original request to be merely allowed to “dwell in…Goshen”, he “gave them a possession [i.e. property]” as well (v.11).  Thus, Joseph provided and cared for the needs of the entire family “according to their families” (v.12).

The Blessing of Jacob on Pharaoh Takes Effect through Joseph’s Administration

v.13-17 Joseph’s wise administration over the land of Egypt not only ensured the peace and prosperity of his family but also saved the people of Egypt from starvation and prospered Pharaoh abundantly.  The famine continues to afflict the land to the extent that the people “fainted by reason of the famine” (v.13).  Apparently, Joseph put all the money paid for grain into the royal treasury (v.14).  As money become scarce, Joseph permitted the grain to be bartered for such things as cattle, horses, and flocks (v.15-17) so that the people could secure enough bread to survive.

Joseph was not a callous, unethical opportunist, who takes advantage of the people in a desperate situation.  Each time the people give Joseph something of theirs, he gives something back of value.  In exchange for their money, Joseph gives them “corn”.  In exchange for their cattle he gives them “bread…for that year”.  This met their immediate needs for survival throughout the famine.   As a wise administrator, he did not permit the development of any form of parasitic attitudes in the nation but diligently worked with them through the hard times with what they have in hand.

v.18-22 As the famine progresses in its severity, the people came to Joseph, confessed that they have nothing left but their “bodies, and [their] lands” (v.18) and offered to sell themselves and their land to Pharaoh’s service so that they “may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate” (v.19).  Therefore, Joseph took responsibility for some essential agrarian reforms to ensure the survival of Egypt through the ongoing crisis.  Joseph concern for the Egyptians is no less than his concern for his own family.  Committing himself to the work of disaster relief on a national scale, he took steps to revise the basic system of land tenure (vv.20) “so the land became Pharaoh’s” (v.20).  Then, he moved large numbers of people to major cities in order to facilitate the distribution of food (v.21).  He was also wise not to try to challenge the power and holdings of the priesthood as very few Pharaohs succeeded in doing so (v.22).  As a Spirit-controlled man, Joseph loved all mankind (cf. Jn. 3:16, Matt. 5:45) and displayed no discriminatory treatment in meeting the needs of the people in affliction.

v.23-26 In exchange for their lands and persons he gives them seed (v.23) in order to meet their future needs because he knew that the seven years of famine is drawing to a close.  Although the people forfeited ownership of their land to Pharaoh, Joseph allows them to keep 80% of the harvest for themselves whereas only 20% remain Pharaoh’s (v.24).  Clearly, Joseph was no slave-driver because he did not take everything from the people even though they had actually forfeited all rights when they sold their lands and themselves to the royal household.  Instead, he secured their future livelihood by giving them seeds and provided equitably for these “slaves” by permitting them to keep the majority of the produce for themselves.  The people responded favourably and are evidently grateful for this arrangement for they said, “Thou hast saved our lives” (v.25).  Joseph’s reforms were apparently acceptable to later Pharaohs as well for this arrangement was still a law in Egypt till the days of the author Moses (v.26).

The blessing on Pharaoh during this famine is a clear fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham – “I will bless them that bless thee” (12:3).  Pharaoh’s displays of kindness and compassion to Joseph and his family moved Jacob to bless Pharaoh twice.  The result of that blessing is the transference of resources not previously at his disposal.  Pharaoh who generously offered to the children of Israel the best of the land in all Egypt has in return received all the land in Egypt – the giver now becomes the receiver (cf. Lu. 6:38).  The point of the text is clear on the confirmation that, in spite of all the dark passages of life the house of Jacob has passed through in their sojourn, the promises of God to Abraham are as bright as the noonday sun because He had said so.