March 1999
Genesis Chapter 46-47
In the 45th Chapter of Genesis last month we learned that Joseph finally revealed his true identity to his brothers. He then sent his brothers back to Canaan to bring his elderly father, Jacob, back to Egypt. Jacob had been fearful of Egypt, but that changed in the 46th chapter.
When Jacob found that his favorite son Joseph, whose death had been faked by Joseph’s brothers many years ago with the blood-smeared coat of many colors, Jacob was delighted. And pledged to go see Joseph before he died.
Beginning in the 46th chapter of Genesis, we learn that Jacob began moving his entire family to Egypt in the wagons that Joseph had sent. First though, Jacob stopped by Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto God. This was the same place where Abraham (Jacob’s grandfather) and Isaac (Jacob’s father) had God-inspired events . See Genesis 21:31-34 and 26:23-33. Beersheba is said to be located about 50 miles southwest of Jerusalem.
In a dream the Lord appeared to Jacob and told Jacob: "fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation." Gen. 46:3. " will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes".
Jacob not only moved himself to Egypt, but he moved his entire family and all descendants, and all their goods, possessions and livestock: "all his seed brought he with him into Egypt." Gen. 46:6-7.
The fact that "all" of Jacob’s seed is moved to Egypt is an important historical fact. This is a major tenement of the Jewish faith. This establishes the base of the Jewish nation. It is such an important historical events that Moses, in writing Genesis, clearly establishes and identifies all persons in the family of Jacob. Specifically identified in verses 8-27 are the 70 individuals who compromised Jacob and his seed — Jacob’s extended family and the base upon which the "great nation" of "Israel" (as Jacob had been renamed by the Lord in Gen. 32:28) would be established — ultimately through the 12 tribes of Israel (10 of Jacob’s sons and Joseph’s two sons).
Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph to seek directions to the land of Goshen that Joseph had earlier directed the family to live reside (Gen. 45:10). Joseph then prepare his chariot and went to Goshen to again meet, after many years, his father Jacob. The father and son met, embraced and wept on the shoulder. Jacob then was prepared to die after he found and met his long-thought-dead son. Gen. 46:30.
Joseph desired to introduce his family to the Egyptian Pharaoh and arranged a meeting, insuring that Jacob’s family was instructed properly in order to make the proper impression upon the Pharaoh.
In the 47th chapter of Genesis, Joseph introduces the family to the Pharaoh, and the Pharaoh approved allowing Joseph’s family to live in the land of Goshen and be head of cattle for the Pharaoh. Gen. 47:6. When Jacob met the Pharaoh, Jacob gave the Pharaoh a blessing for being so kind to the family in light of Joseph’s high standing in the Pharaoh’s rule. Jacob told the Pharaoh that he was 130 years old at the time of his arrival in Egypt from Canaan.
Joseph then provided ample land, goods, nourishments and bread for his father’s family in the land of Goshen, as Pharaoh had approved. Gen. 47:12
Because the famine and drought continued through Egypt and the land, Joseph used the occasion to build up the holdings of his new-found family. Joseph made the Pharaoh rich by selling the corn and grain he had the foresight to store up during the abundant years. Lots of people paid Joseph to buy this food. When their money ran out, Joseph began bartering cattle and land for food, swapping food in exchange for land title passing to the Pharaoh. As people exchanged their land for food, Joseph prepared them a place to live in the cities as they moved off their farms across Egypt. Gen. 47:13-21. Joseph allowed the priests to retain their lands.
Then Joseph began what could be said to be the first share-cropping program. HE allowed the people to farm the land, providing the Pharaoh one-fifth of the income from the land and their keeping four-fifths. Gen. 47:24. Because Joseph had developed the plan years earlier of storing up food, everyone recognized he had saved their lives by providing the stored food. They were pleased with the program developed by Joseph to share their crops with Pharaoh.
As this program developed, Jacob’s family "Israel" dwelt in the land of Goshen, grew in possessions and "multiplied exceedingly." Gen. 47:27.
In the close of the 47th chapter, we learn that Jacob lived in Goshen for another 17 years and began preparing for his death, making Joseph promise him a burial back in Canaan. Gen. 47:30.
Thus, Genesis chapter 46 and 47 establish the historical background for the Jewish nation. It began as God developed it through covenants with Abraham, promises in dreams to Isaac and Jacob, and delivery of Jacob’s family "Israel" to Egypt to be blessed by Joseph’s care, wisdom and oversight.