Genesis 47:1-13 – God is working the perfect outcome for each of us

Joseph had mustered the substantial skills in inter-personal relation. He was an astute reader of situations. He had foresight and could anticipate what was coming, a skillful leader. All these were borne out as he took five of his brothers with him to Pharaoh to inform him of the arrival of his father and family. He even knew what the king would ask. So he prepared them to answer in such a way that Pharaoh would grant them the land of Goshen. This part of Egypt was not only a rich pastureland but because of its location would keep them away from the Egyptians. Knowing that the Egyptians loathed shepherds, he counselled his family to let Pharaoh know that they were shepherds. His strategy worked perfectly, so the king granted them the land of Goshen.

In fact, Joseph had already settled them in Goshen before he went to see Pharaoh. Then when he went to see the monarch, he just mentioned it to him in passing. It was a subtle conditioning for the king to place them there. So in verse 1 we read, ^“Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.” He took only five of his brothers to see Pharaoh and true to his anticipation, the king asked, “What is your occupation?” So in one united voice, they answered, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers.” And “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.”  Amazingly, the king agreed and even opened up opportunities for some of them to work for him to tend to his own flock.

Having successfully introduced his brothers to Pharaoh, the next thing Joseph did was to introduce his father to the king. The first thing Jacob did was to bless Pharaoh who then politely inquired of the patriarch’s age. Jacob response was, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.” In a moment, Jacob must have in mind all that he went through thus far. His life had been hard. He was thinking of the years of hardship he had endured. Remember, he had to flee from the threat of his brother Esau, only to suffer at the hand of Laban, his uncle, who cheated him on his wages many times. That same old uncle also duped him into marrying Leah, before he was given Rachel, the woman he truly loved. Then two of his sons, Simeon and Levi schemed to kill the people of Shechem in retaliation. They did it to avenge the shame Shechem had brought upon Dinah, their sister, in raping her. He also had to endure the shameful act of his eldest son, Reuben, who committed incest with his concubine. What about the sorrow he had endured for 20 plus years thinking that Joseph, his favorite son had died. Besides, the length of life in comparison with his father, Isaac and his grandfather, Abraham, his 130 years was pale in significance. His father lived till 180 years old and his grandfather 175 years old. Jacob ended his meeting by blessing Pharaoh a second time. This was the right thing to do considering how Pharaoh had blessed him and his family and allowed them to settle in Goshen. Here Joseph was able to provide for his father and family, both big and small. So amidst worldwide famine God preserved His chosen people and prospered them.

Like Jacob, our life is also a pilgrimage. Regardless of the circumstances, both pleasant and unpleasant, God is in the midst of it all, leading us in the journey. Enjoy the pleasant time gladly but also endure the unpleasant resolutely. In good time praise the Lord, in bad time trust the Lord. Why? Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Notice, the first three words, “And we know….” It is not “And we guess” or “And we think” or “And we suppose,” it is “And we know.” Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. So trust God to work out the glorious outcome of your life for your good and for His glory!