Genesis ch 46-47 Before going to Egypt, Israel (Jacob) set out to Beer-sheba. There he offers a sacrifice to the God of his father Isaac. While he is there God speak to him in a night vision and tells him: 1)go to Egypt 2) while he is there, he (God) will make him a great nation 3) God promises to be with Jacob 4) God tells him that Joseph, the son he thought was dead will put his hand upon his eyes. After receiving a confirmation from the Lord, Jacob and his entire household (children, grandchildren servants etc) pack all of their belongings in the wagons, gather the cattle, and heads to Egypt. When Joseph and Jacob see each other for the first time in 20+ years, they embrace each other and weep. Jacob then tells Joseph he can die in peace. Before he takes them to meet Pharaoh, Joseph tells them that all shepherds are despised by Egyptians. He then tells them if Pharaoh ask them their occupation, tell him they tend to cattle. After meeting his brother, Pharaoh tells Joseph to settle them in the best part of the land, Goshen. He also asks Jacob his age and he replies 130. As time went by, the famine got worse, and the Egyptian spent all their money on grain. Joseph then started trading it for their livestock. When all of their livestock was gone, they sold him their land and their service for food. Joseph gives them seed and makes a law saying that 1/5 of their produce will go to Pharaoh. Only the priests were exempt. Jacob lives another 17 years while in Egypt, and he gets to see the Israelites increased greatly. When he becomes ill, at the age of 147, he sends for Joseph and makes him promise not to bury him in Egypt. He wants to be buried with his father in the cave of Machpelah. Lesson being taught: 1) We should seek God before making major decisions. Even though there was a famine, Jacob goes to Beer-sheba and seeks the Lord before going to Egypt. After God gives him a confirmation, then he leaves Canaan. 2) We have to teach our children how to pray and seek the Lord. Joseph was able to endure years of affliction because he had been taught how to call on the God of his father. 3) God can give us peace, even in the mist of a storm. Jacob had to move his family to a strange land, but God promised to be with him and reminded him of their covenant. God also tells him that he was going to see his son (Joseph). After seeing Joseph, Jacob said he could die in peace. 4) God’s people consecrated and set apart. Joseph knew his family could not dwell with the Egyptians because of their ungodly lifestyle, so he used their prejudice to his advantage. Egyptian hated shepherds so they got to live in Goshen. 5) When the favor of God is on you, everything you hand finds to do will be blessed. Joseph’s anointing caused everybody around him to be blessed. Pharaoh’s wealth increased, the Egyptians didn’t starve, his family got the best land in Egypt etc. 6) We are supposed to respect authority. Joseph always kept Pharaoh informed of any decisions he made (Roman 13:1-7). 7) When we stay in God’s will, he will bless us to live a full life. Sin will shorten our days but if we obey God’s, he will protect us from a lot of things. This will allow us to live the number of days he has appointed us.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:42:31 +0000
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