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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Gen. 47
After Joseph acquired all the silver and livestock in the land of Egypt, the people came to him offering themselves and their land in exchange for his life-giving seed. They gave up their lives, becoming Pharaoh’s slaves, in order to save their lives. So Joseph said to them, “Understand today that I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh. Here is seed for you. Sow it in the land. At harvest, you are to give a fifth of it to Pharaoh” (Gen. 47:23-24a). This makes me think of how we offer our lives to God, becoming His slaves, in order to gain life. God then gives us His seed, in the form of the Holy Spirit, which we are to sow in the land. His Spirit bears fruit in and through us so that we can give back to Him out of what He has given to us.
Gen. 48-49
There are some strange dynamics going on in these chapters. Jacob created a huge family shake-up. To start, Jacob clearly adopted Joseph’s two sons as his own. More than that, though, he seems to have put them in the position of his first and second born sons. Rueben and Simeon had both fallen out of Jacob’s favor, perhaps partially prompting this move. However, his mention of Rachel suggests another possible reason. With this move, Jacob essentially declared Joseph’s sons as the first and second born by the one he considered to be his true wife.
By deception, a younger Jacob took the birthright and blessing that should have gone to his firstborn brother. In these chapters, an old and dying Jacob gave the firstborn birthright and blessing to Joseph’s two sons. That birthright meant that the firstborn received a double portion of the family inheritance. Apparently, this was so the extra portion could be passed down through the primary family line. So it seems that, by splitting the birthright between Joseph’s two sons, Jacob put all of his sons on equal footing as far as the inheritance and family line were concerned. In addition to all of this, Jacob gave Joseph’s younger son the greater blessing. Again, this should have gone to the firstborn.
I wish I knew the implications of this big family shake-up. But I don’t. So for now, these are merely observations. I can’t help but feel like there is much to glean in all of this, though. I’m sure there are hints of God’s plan, His promise, and His Kingdom in it. Perhaps one day He will open my eyes to see what they are.
Gen. 50
Even after all Joseph had done, his brothers were still afraid of retribution from him. This tells me they were hanging onto their guilt and not fully receiving Joseph’s forgiveness. I think that may be why Joseph wept when he received their message. It makes me think of how it must break God’s heart when we hang onto our guilt and refuse to accept the forgiveness He has so graciously and abundantly lavished on us.
I think much of the purpose of the Bible is to kindly and gently reassure us that God’s plans are to use the evil we have done to bring about good. His plans are, in fact, for the salvation of many. Thus, as Joseph told his brothers, God assures us, “Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” (Gen. 50:21a). God comforts us and speaks kindly to us through His word, if we care to hear it.