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¹ 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.
² And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
³ 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.
⁴ 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.
⁵ And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
⁶ The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
⁷ And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
⁸ And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
⁹ 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.
¹⁰ And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
¹¹ 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.
¹² And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
¹³ 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.
¹⁴ 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.
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
¹⁷ 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.
¹⁸ 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:
¹⁹ 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.
²⁰ 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.
²¹ And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
²² 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.
²³ 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.
²⁴ 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.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ 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.
²⁷ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
²⁸ And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
²⁹ 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:
³⁰ But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
³¹ And he said, Swear unto me: and he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.
🌾 Joseph’s Leadership and the Prosperity of Israel in Egypt 🌾
“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.” – Genesis 47:1
Genesis 47 marks a significant turning point in the story of Joseph, Israel, and the unfolding narrative of God’s promises. This chapter not only highlights Joseph’s role in sustaining his family but also underscores God’s divine orchestration in the lives of His people. Through Joseph’s wisdom and God’s providence, Israel finds a place of favor and sustenance in Egypt during a time of famine.
The chapter illustrates how God can elevate individuals to positions of authority to fulfill His purposes, as seen in Joseph’s leadership under Pharaoh. It also teaches us about the importance of God’s provision, the obedience of His people, and the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 47
Verses 1–6: Joseph Presents His Family to Pharaoh
Joseph introduces his family to Pharaoh, emphasizing their need for land due to the famine in Canaan. Pharaoh welcomes them into Egypt, offering them the best of the land of Goshen. This interaction emphasizes God’s providence, as Pharaoh, a pagan ruler, acts favorably towards Joseph’s family, fulfilling God’s promise that Israel would dwell in a land of abundance.
Verses 7–10: Jacob Blesses Pharaoh
Jacob meets Pharaoh and blesses him, which highlights the authority and divine favor Jacob carries as the patriarch of Israel. Despite his age, Jacob remains a man of faith, understanding that God’s promises to him and his ancestors will continue to unfold through his descendants.
Verses 11–12: Settlement in the Land of Goshen
Joseph settles his family in Goshen, providing for them during the famine. The land of Goshen becomes a place of safety and prosperity for the Israelites, fulfilling God’s promise to provide for His people. This moment emphasizes God’s faithfulness to His covenant and the continued unfolding of His plan.
Verses 13–26: The Famine Continues and Joseph’s Management
As the famine worsens, Joseph takes measures to manage the crisis. He collects money, livestock, and land in exchange for food, consolidating Pharaoh’s power and wealth. This arrangement marks a shift in Egypt’s economic structure, with Pharaoh acquiring nearly all the land except that of the priests. This section illustrates Joseph’s wise leadership and his ability to maintain God’s provision for His people during difficult times.
Verses 27–31: The Promise of the Land of Canaan
Despite Egypt’s prosperity, Jacob’s descendants remain focused on God’s promise to bring them back to the land of Canaan. Jacob instructs his sons that they are to bury him in the land of his ancestors when he dies, showing his continued faith in God’s promise of a future inheritance for Israel.
Verses 32–34: Jacob’s Request for Burial in Canaan
Jacob makes a final request to Joseph, asking him to bury him in the land of Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah. This final act of faith shows Jacob’s unwavering belief in God’s promises, even as he nears the end of his life.
💡 Key Themes
✨ God’s Providential Care for His People
Despite the challenges of famine and hardship, God provides for Israel through Joseph. This reminds us that God is sovereign over our circumstances and will always make a way for His people.
✨ Faithfulness to God’s Promises
Joseph’s family’s settlement in Goshen and Jacob’s request to be buried in Canaan highlight the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises, even when the situation looks uncertain. God’s plans are not hindered by human circumstances.
✨ Leadership and Wisdom in Crisis
Joseph’s leadership during the famine shows how God uses individuals in positions of authority to carry out His will. His wisdom and strategic thinking serve as a reminder of how we are called to steward the resources God gives us, especially in times of crisis.
👤 Key People
- Joseph – The chosen leader of Egypt and the savior of his family, demonstrating God’s use of individuals to fulfill His purposes.
- Jacob – The patriarch of Israel, whose faith in God’s promises never wavers, even as he faces death.
- Pharaoh – The ruler of Egypt, who recognizes God’s favor on Joseph and provides for the Israelites during their time of need.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 47 demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people and His ability to use individuals in unexpected ways to fulfill His promises. It emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s will, trusting in His provision, and living with faith in the promises He has made. In times of trial, God will sustain us, just as He sustained Israel during the famine.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- How does God’s provision in times of crisis encourage you in your own life? How have you experienced His care during difficult seasons?
- What does Jacob’s unwavering faith in God’s promises teach us about trusting God, even when circumstances seem uncertain?
- How can you apply Joseph’s wisdom and leadership in your own life, especially during times of difficulty or uncertainty?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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