Genesis 47 unfolds as a chapter rich in lessons, emphasizing Joseph's wisdom and God's providence during a severe famine. This perio...
Genesis 47 unfolds as a chapter rich in lessons, emphasizing Joseph's wisdom and God's providence during a severe famine. This period serves as a crucial backdrop for the reunion of Joseph and his family, shedding light on governance, economic principles, and the divine orchestration of events. As we delve into the verses of Genesis 47, we will explore the historical context, key themes, and timeless truths embedded in this chapter.
Genesis 47:1-6 - Joseph Presents His Family to Pharaoh
"Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen."
Joseph, aware of the cultural aversion to shepherds in Egypt, strategically presents a small delegation of his family to Pharaoh. The focus on Goshen as their dwelling place emphasizes Joseph's foresight, choosing a location suitable for their pastoral lifestyle. The interaction with Pharaoh sets the stage for the family's settlement in Egypt, demonstrating Joseph's diplomatic skill and care for his relatives.
Genesis 47:7-10 - Jacob's Meeting with Pharaoh
"And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, 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, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh."
Joseph introduces his father, Jacob, to Pharaoh, marking a moment of respect and blessing. Jacob's response to Pharaoh's inquiry reflects a life marked by pilgrimage, emphasizing the brevity and challenges of his years. The act of blessing Pharaoh illustrates Jacob's acknowledgment of the divine favor upon him. This encounter sets the tone for the family's favorable reception in Egypt.
Genesis 47:11-12 - Settling in Goshen
"And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families."
Joseph, fulfilling Pharaoh's directive, settles his family in the land of Rameses, providing them with the best portion of the land. This act reflects Joseph's commitment to the well-being of his family and his obedience to Pharaoh's instructions. The provision of bread underscores Joseph's strategic planning to sustain his family during the ongoing famine.
Genesis 47:13-15 - The Famine Intensifies
"And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth."
The severity of the famine becomes evident, affecting both Egypt and Canaan. Joseph, in his administrative role, implements a plan to exchange food for money, ultimately consolidating wealth in Pharaoh's house. As the money supply diminishes, the desperation of the people grows, leading them to plead with Joseph for sustenance. This section unveils the economic challenges faced during times of scarcity and the ripple effects on the population.
Genesis 47:16-19 - Bartering for Survival
"And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year. When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate."
With money exhausted, Joseph proposes the exchange of livestock for sustenance, further consolidating assets under Pharaoh's control. The people willingly part with their possessions in exchange for the necessities of life. However, as their resources diminish, they offer their lands and themselves as servants to Pharaoh in a desperate plea for survival. This transaction underscores the dire consequences of prolonged famine and the lengths people are willing to go for sustenance.
Genesis 47:20-22 - Joseph's Compassion
"And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands."
Joseph, cognizant of the people's desperation, implements a plan to acquire all the land for Pharaoh. He relocates the population to cities, ensuring their proximity for efficient food distribution. Notably, Joseph exempts the land of the priests from this acquisition, recognizing their unique status. This section reveals Joseph's compassion in managing the crisis while securing Pharaoh's authority over the land.
Genesis 47:23-26 - Joseph's Agrarian Reforms
"Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants. And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's."*
Joseph institutes agrarian reforms, providing seed to the people with the condition that they give a fifth of their produce to Pharaoh. This system ensures both the survival of the people and the consolidation of agricultural wealth under Pharaoh's control. The acknowledgment of Joseph's role in saving lives reflects the people's gratitude, and the establishment of this law endures as a testament to Joseph's administrative foresight.
Genesis 47:27-31 - The Israelites Thrive in Goshen
"And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head."
The chapter concludes with a summary of the Israelites' prosperity in Goshen and the aging Jacob's request to be buried in the ancestral burial site. Joseph, committing to his father's wishes, swears an oath to fulfill this request. The emphasis on Jacob's desire to rest with his forefathers foreshadows the subsequent events leading to the final chapters of Genesis.
Conclusion
Genesis 47 provides a comprehensive view of Joseph's wisdom and administrative prowess during a time of severe famine. His strategic decisions not only ensure the survival of the Egyptians but also solidify Pharaoh's authority over the land. The chapter showcases Joseph's compassion, foresight, and the divine orchestration of events leading to the fulfillment of God's promises.
As we reflect on Genesis 47, may we glean lessons in resource management, compassion in times of crisis, and the importance of trusting in God's providence. Joseph's narrative serves as a profound example of using wisdom and compassion in leadership while recognizing the sovereignty of God over all circumstances. In our own journeys, may we apply these principles, trusting that God's wisdom will guide us through challenges, and His providence will prevail in every circumstance.
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