Genesis 45-47
Try as I might, I can’t quite crawl into the skins of these brothers. I cannot empathize with the intensity of the shock, shame, joy and fear they must have experienced. Such a mix of feelings would have caused my emotional circuits to overload. And, considering the rest of Genesis, up to and including Genesis 50, we can see that the brothers never quite recovered!
Of course, we understand that the Pharaoh’s hospitality to Joseph’s family will one day lead to their enslavement. But, for now, we rejoice at the thought of Jacob (Israel) receiving back the son he had lost. The Bible uses the word “stunned” (Genesis 45:26) to describe Jacob’s initial reaction to the news; we hope he doesn’t have a heart attack!
Genesis 46 contains the roll of God’s people who make the journey to Egypt. In chapter 47 we find four verses describing one of the most unique meetings in the history of God’s people. Genesis 47:7-10 is the account of the meeting between Jacob (Joseph’s father) and Pharaoh (Jacob’s boss). Jacob blessed the Pharaoh of Egypt, and the Pharaoh received his blessing!
At the end of today’s reading, Jacob summons Joseph to make a promise NOT to bury him in Egypt. Why was this so important? It demonstrates Jacob’s faith in the Covenant God made with Abraham, renewed with Isaac, and repeated to Jacob back in Genesis 28. One aspect of that Covenant was the Land, and it is to that land Joseph must take Jacob’s body.
Wait till you read about Jacob’s funeral!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
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