Genesis 47 Chapter Commentary: Joseph Presents His Family to the Pharaoh

The story begins with Joseph presenting his family to Pharaoh and his brothers receiving permission to settle in the land of Goshen. Joseph then oversees the management of Egypt during the famine, using the grain stored during the seven years of abundance to feed the people in exchange for their livestock, land, and labor.

As the famine continues, the people of Egypt and Canaan run out of money and turn to Joseph for food, and he continues to provide for them in exchange for their possessions and service to Pharaoh.

The land of Egypt is eventually owned by Pharaoh, with the people working the land and giving a portion of their crops to him in exchange for seed and food.

The chapter ends with the Israelites living in the land of Goshen and prospering under Joseph’s leadership. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, and Joseph continues to provide for his family and all those in need during the famine.

What’s the Main Point?

The theme is about the provision and leadership of Joseph during the famine in Egypt, which not only sustains his own family but also the people of Egypt and surrounding areas. Also it highlights the ownership of land and resources by Pharaoh and the establishment of the Israelites in the land of Goshen.

What Can We Learn from This Chapter?

Here are some takeaways from Genesis 47.

God provides for his people. The chapter shows how God used Joseph’s leadership to provide for the people of Egypt and his own family during the famine. It reminds us that God is our ultimate provider, and we can trust him to meet our needs in times of scarcity.

Good stewardship is important. Joseph’s wise management of Egypt’s resources during the seven years of abundance and the subsequent famine demonstrates the importance of stewardship. We should use our resources wisely and plan ahead to ensure that we are prepared for times of hardship.

Helping others in need is a responsibility. Joseph’s leadership and provision for the people of Egypt and surrounding areas show us that it is our responsibility as Christians to help those in need. We should be generous with our resources and use them to bless others.

Submission to authority is necessary. The chapter also highlights the concept of submission to authority, as the people of Egypt give their possessions and service to Pharaoh in exchange for food and resources. We should respect and submit to those in authority over us, as long as they do not require us to go against God’s commands.

God’s plans are bigger than our own. Finally, the chapter shows how God’s plan to preserve his chosen people and bring them to Egypt was fulfilled through Joseph’s actions, even though Joseph may not have fully understood the scope of God’s plan at the time. We should trust in God’s plans for our lives, even when we don’t fully understand them.

Prayer:

Loving Father, we appreciate your presence with hearts filled with gratitude for your unwavering guidance and provision, exemplified through the life of Joseph in Egypt. Grant us wisdom to navigate life’s challenges, as Joseph demonstrated during the famine.

May your favor rest upon us, fostering unity and reconciliation in our relationships and communities, mirroring Joseph’s ability to bring people together. In times of scarcity and need, we humbly ask for your protection and provision, just as you provided for Joseph and his family. Amen.

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Featured image attribution:

Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed by Pharaoh. James Tissot, before 1903. This image is in the public domain. Cropped from original.