Genesis 47:1-12

Jacob Settles in Egypt Land of Goshen

 

47:1 Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, "My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen."

 

2 He took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh.

 

3 Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" So they said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers."

 

4 They said to Pharaoh, "We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants' flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen."

 

5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you.

 

6 "The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock."

 

7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

 

8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many years have you lived?"

 

9 So Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning."

 

10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence.

 

11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered.

 

12 Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to their little ones.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Jacob Settles the Land of Goshen

Jacob and his family wanted to live apart from the Egyptians so Joseph suggested that they let Pharaoh know that they were shepherds.

Egypt was not totally against this occupation but neither were they enthusiastic about having them in Egypt. So, this helped insure the separate state of the Israelites in the land of Goshen.

Faith and Obedience

The outcome of this story began unfolding with Joseph. The future must have looked bleak to Joseph while he was imprisoned in Egypt but he remained faithful to God. And, God took care of him because of his obedience.

Cause and Effect

Actions - these are things we do in the present. But, many times we don't realize at the time how they will affect the future, not only in our lives but in the lives of other people. I don't believe Joseph thought of his prison term as a means to bring his father Jacob to Goshen but the results speak for themselves.

If we are faithful to God, He will give rewards. We may not see them right away (or ever) but the results could transform into a world-changing moment - just as it did for Joseph. What action can we take today to show our obedience to God's will in our lives?

Love in Christ

- Bob

Genesis 44:1-34 - Benjamin is set up with a Silver Cup