# 8 2024 Dev. Ge. 47:10 God’s Blessing! Read all of chapter forty seven first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ge. 47:10 “Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.”
Chapter 47 Is about Joseph introducing his brothers and father to Pharaoh and finalizing their move to Goshen. The chapter also tells us how Joseph dealt with the Egyptian population.
Vs.1-12 “Joseph went and told Pharaoh, ‘My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.’” Pharaoh had suggested to Joseph that his family should live in Goshen.
Joseph introduced five of his brothers to Pharaoh. Why only five? Some commentators think that Joseph took the fiercest looking brother to try to forestall any opposition to his family. Others say, no, Joseph wanted to present the finest to Pharaoh in order to impress him. To me, that seems more likely. In any case the brothers indicated that they had run out of pasture in Canaan and now needed pasture. They asked to stay in Goshen.
Next Jacob was ushered in to Pharaoh, Joseph was honoring his father as the head of the clan. Jacob blessed Pharaoh twice, this is the covenantal fulfillment of: “all nations will be blessed through you and your offspring.” God had indeed blessed Egypt by sending them Joseph and sending Pharaoh the dream. But God has a bigger agenda; building this 70 member family into a great nation.
Vs.13-31 Joseph has to adjust the method of payment for the grain because he “had collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan.” So now he collected all the livestock for Pharaoh. After that he took all the land, only the priests kept their land and belongings because they received a food allowance. Joseph also treated his family in that way as well, they received a food allowance for all family members, to the point that “They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.”
Jacob tells Joseph not to bury him in Egypt. Joseph agreed but Jacob demanded; “Swear to me,” ‘he said.’” Then Joseph swore to him and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”
Jacob trusted the promises of God “To you and your offspring I give this land, forever, “Canaan”. Forever assures us that the Promised Land pre-figures the New Heaven and the New Earth. Praise be to God!
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