Genesis 47:1-12 – Settling Down

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 they are essentially nobodies, he is not ashamed to call them his brothers. He introduces them to Pharaoh to bring honour to them in the eyes of the Egyptians. They tell Pharaoh what their jobs are and what their business is in Egypt. They do not intend to live there forever, but only while the famine is so severe in Canaan. Pharaoh gives them permission to settle in Goshen out of gratitude to Joseph; because Joseph has been such a blessing to him and his kingdom, Pharaoh will be kind to his relatives, purely for Joseph’s sake.

Joseph shows respect to his father in presenting him to Pharaoh. Pharaoh admires and respects old age, as we should. Jacob calls his life a pilgrimage, seeing himself as a stranger to this world and a traveller towards another world. He counts his life by days and says that they are few. The 130 years he has lived seem to him but a few days in comparison with the days of eternity. He calls these days difficult or evil, which is true of the lives of all mankind because of sin. Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh isn’t just a mark of respect and thankfulness for Pharaoh’s kindness, but it is a prayer for Pharaoh made by one having the authority of a prophet. Even though in worldly wealth Pharaoh is greater, in terms of a relationship with God, Jacob is greater. The prayers of God’s people are not to be despised.