When Joseph hears that his father is sick, he immediately leaves his work and goes to see him out of respect and love. As Christians we have a responsibility to visit and care for those who are sick both in our own family and in the church family. The sickbed can often be a place of encouragement and godly instruction.

Through a series of providential events, God has reunited Joseph with his family by bringing Jacob and his sons to Egypt. Even though the Egyptians are being forced to sell off all their livestock and land in order to buy food to stay alive, Joseph’s relatives can get their food for free. Pharaoh is so pleased with the job that

Joseph, by the grace of God, has been given the ability to provide for his family and protect them from ruin. Now, God leads him to save the kingdom of Egypt from complete destruction. It probably would have made Joseph happy to be able to go and live in Goshen with the rest of his family, but his job will

Joseph shows respect to his ruler, Pharaoh. Even though he is Pharaoh’s favourite and second-in-command with special orders from Pharaoh to bring his father to Egypt, he will not settle his family in the land until he tells Pharaoh. Joseph shows respect to his brothers, despite the unkindness he has received from them. Even though he is a great man, and

Jacob wisely sends Judah ahead to get directions and to inform Joseph and the other rulers of Egypt that they are entering their land. This is a sign of respect to the Egyptian government, under the protection of which, they have come. Joseph shows great respect for his father, immediately going to meet him. Children are commanded to show respect to

Little did Jacob think of ever leaving Canaan; he expected, probably, to die there and to leave his children and grandchildren in actual possession of the promised land; but God orders it otherwise. We may think we are well settled in a place, but things can still change. Those who are old sometimes live to see great changes in their

Jacob has had many dreams throughout his life where God speaks to him, giving him instructions or encouragement. Usually Jacob has these dreams while travelling about from place to place. Now, on this last journey, God comes to him in a vision one more time. Jacob probably thought he would live and die in Canaan, but here he is trying

Many, many years have passed since Joseph is home in Canaan. His brothers have sold him into slavery and through a series of God-ordained events he becomes the second most powerful person in all of Egypt. One day his brothers appear at his door, not recognising him, asking for food, and Joseph puts them through a series of tests to

Pharaoh shows great kindness to Joseph’s family for Joseph’s sake, even though it is a time of famine and extra people to care for are a burden. Pharaoh tells Joseph to send for his father and promises to provide whatever they need to relocate to Egypt and the best of the land once they get there. What they have in

Judah and his brothers are waiting for a response from the powerful Egyptian ruler, but instead of a judge, they find in him a friend and brother. Sending his servants away, he can restrain his emotion no longer, but reveals himself to his brothers. He is full of love and compassion towards his repentant brothers, anticipating the fear and guilt