INTRODUCTION: How slowly, yet certainly God's purposes unfold. Israel here enters Egypt and four hundred years later they leave according to the divine promise [Genesis 15:13-14]. How often do God's people in the midst of their trials forget that they are a part of a much larger plan.I. AN INTERVIEW WITH PHARAOH - verses 1-4.
Pharaoh is treated with the greatest respect and nothing is taken for granted. God's children should never needlessly provoke or anger the powers that be [Romans 13:1-7]. Some think that the gospel gives them leeway to despise mans' laws. We are rather to see God's authority present in legitimate government.Joseph brought five of his brothers to meet Pharaoh. Probably the rest were watching the cattle. These five were to communicate three things to Pharaoh:
A. They were shepherds. There is no doubt this was a difficult confession to make in light of Genesis 46:34.
B. They were only sojourners and had no desire to be naturalized. Joseph seems to have understood the importance of Israel remaining a separate nation. In all this we see a type of Christian separation from the world [I Peter 2:9, John 15:19].
C. They desire to dwell in Goshen.
II. PHARAOH'S PRONOUNCEMENT - verses 5-6.
Pharaoh kindly kept his promise yet it was little compared to the benefit Egypt received from Joseph. Joseph had it seems no interest in his brothers working for Pharaoh. Separation of Israel from Egypt was his desire.III. THE LESS IS BLESSED OF THE BETTER - verses 7-10.
Pharaoh was earth's greatest power, yet we cannot read this narrative without being impressed that here he met a man greater than himself. This is confirmed by Hebrews 7:7, where Melchizedek's greatness is shown in that he blessed Abraham. Jacob is twice said to have blessed Pharaoh. Earth's people little know what eternity will reveal about men's true relative greatness [Daniel 12:3; Proverbs 10:7]. Strive to be great in God's eyes.Notice now Jacob's words to Pharaoh:
A. He blessed Pharaoh - No doubt this blessing was an invocation to Almighty God. Saints should both desire and pray fro God's blessings upon others [I Timothy 2:1-2].B. Jacob explained that his days had been few. The longest life is short in light of eternity. No man has lived a thousand years, which is but a day in God's sight [II Peter 3:8].
C. Jacob explained that his days had been full of evil (trials and care). Life is difficult and full of burdens [Job 14:1]. Often like Jacob we add to our trials by not seeking God's leadership [Proverbs 3:5-6]. Pity any man who has not a hope in God to comfort him through life [II Corinthians 4:17].
Let us not think that Jacob was expressing a negative or unthankful attitude toward life. By twice using the word pilgrimage he insinuates that his real hope is spiritual and future. We as Christians recognize also that trials line the path to Heaven [Acts 14:22].
IV. THE DIVINE PROVISION - verses 11-12.
God's ways are strange to us yet He works all for our good [Romans 8:28]. Jacob here learned that his past trial of losing Joseph was here made the source of provision in famine. May we learn to give thanks even when we do not understand [I Thessalonians 5:18].V. THE FAMINE - verses 13-22.
The record reveals that only Joseph's prophetic insight saved Egypt and Canaan from starvation. A little thought will reveal that the plan used to feed the people was not as cruel as it might appear. In no way did that express resentment. A situation where everyone is on a government dole requires extreme arrangement. (The preference given the pagan priest was beyond Joseph's control).VI. TAXES - verses 23-26.
As the famine came to an end Joseph formed a system to restore agriculture. This plan reveals that in no way was Joseph unfair to the people. The government provided seed and took twenty percent of the yield as a tax. If you think this is unfair, then try estimating what the tax rates are in this country. Remember also that we only own land in this nation as we pay taxes on it.VII. JACOB'S REQUEST - verses 27-31.
Jacob believed that Canaan was the land of promise. His heart was always there. Though he could not die in Canaan, he wished to be buried there with his fathers. This request revealed his faith in God's promises [Genesis 15:13-16; Hebrews 11:21- 22].
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