Genesis 47

When Jacob and all his family found that Joseph was yet alive, and when they settled by Pharaoh's permission in Goshen, in the land of Egypt, it was not as if all their problems were over. They were only beginning their time away from Canaan. They would not really be home in Egypt. God's promise remained. He was giving them another land.

For now, it was time to settle as guests of Pharaoh. During a time of famine, gaining Pharaoh's permission to live in Egypt could have been very difficult. But they had a friend in the brother whom they had once so badly abused. He had gone before them into Egypt, and God had made the way for him to win Pharaoh's approval for this request.

Pharaoh was one of the great men of his day, but when he was introduced to Jacob, it was this unknown Israel that blessed the great king. Jacob was God's ambassador. He spoke not as a grasping young man, but as a humble servant of the Lord who had been shaped by grief and reclaimed by joy.

At 130 years old, he was not a great man in his own eyes, but others, even Pharaoh, were made to see the honor that was due to this aged man who was Joseph's father. Long forgotten are Joseph's days in prison. Can anyone still remember the accusation that brought him into an Egyptian jail? Now he is the second in command in Egypt, and his father is worthy of great respect.

Jacob does not draw attention to any marvels of his own life. He honors his father and his grandfather, who lived longer than he had. Those earlier men, Abraham, and Isaac, like Israel himself, are simply sojourners. They look for a better city, whose Builder and Maker is God. They seek to be a blessing to those who are the rulers in the lands where they travel during their brief stay on this earth. They know God, and they are impressed by Him. This is their greatness, which comes to them through God's grace in the midst of long suffering.

Joseph can provide for his father and his brothers, but he cannot stop the famine that has overtaken the region. He has wisely shepherded the land for Pharaoh. He cares for the people who would have lost their lives had it not been for the Lord's gifts. God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and provided him with the wisdom and insight necessary to know what to do when the evil days came. The famine was very severe, but God preserved the lives of many people through His servant Joseph. Among those who were able to live were Jacob and all his descendants.

Joseph's plan brought much wealth to Pharaoh. In stages, the people were forced to give all that they had to their ruler. Yet Joseph found a way to preserve some human dignity, as the people were able to live and to work for themselves as servants of Pharaoh long after all hope of self-reliance was gone. This too was in accord with the power and wisdom of God.

Only the priests of Egypt were able to hold title to their land as the crisis continued for the full seven years. The priests of Egypt had an allowance from Pharaoh by virtue of their office, but all of the remaining people of Egypt gave up their property to the king.

The people did not resent Joseph. He was a provider to them in their distress. They understood well that his gift to them of seed and his willingness that they should keep some percentage of their labor when they had given themselves entirely up to Pharaoh were expressions of mercy. The people were grateful. Joseph had saved their lives and the lives of their children.

But Israel now dwelt in Egypt's land. Yet in spite the sufferings of the Egyptians, the people of Jacob prospered. They gained possessions. They were fruitful and multiplied.

Jacob lived for seventeen years in Egypt, and he died at the age of 147. Before he died, he made Joseph promise to bring his body back to Canaan, so that he could be buried with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob was blessed to live through the years of struggle that came from famine. Seeing his son Joseph alive again was a great gift of God. But Jacob did not fall in love with Egypt. He had not forgotten the promises of God to his grandfather, his father, and himself. God was the God of Israel, and He would fulfill His promise to give Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Joseph understood his father's heart and would insist one day that his own bones be buried in Canaan. Joseph agreed to Jacob's request. He swore an oath to his father, and Jacob worshiped the Lord.

The promises of God are sure, and men of faith hear them and live in hope. They are not overly moved by the riches of earthly empires. Their security is not in the provision of the kings of this world. They believe in the promises of God, even when other pathways might seem more outwardly appealing.

This heart of faith is what keeps the true Messiah faithful even to the point of death on the cross. He knows that the Word of God is more sure than the treasures of all nations. The true Savior believes and follows God. In His incomparable holiness and mercy, the greatest riches of the righteousness of Jesus have been generously provided to all who are called by His Name.