Click here to read Genesis 47
Pharaoh meets five of Joseph's brothers, and tells them to settle in Goshen, which he calls the best part of the land. He also says that he wants them shepherding his own flocks. He has seen the blessing that comes with Joseph's family. He's no fool. He'll take as much of that as he can get.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
Goshen is called the district of Ramses. Joseph made sure they were provided for well with food and land.
Joseph's father, Jacob, makes Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan. He knows that his family's time in Egypt will be temporary. Canaan is his home.
Jacob has Joseph put his hand under his thigh again - another oath to seed, like Abraham and his servant.
Funeral arrangements were taken care of by the son of the birthright. Jacob is bestowing the birthright on Joseph, the eldest son of his favourite wife.
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This story of Joseph's faith did more than just make him able to endure suffering. It made him good. It made him forgiving and humble and righteous. We do not see obvious divine intervention in Joseph's story. There are no miracles or supernatural events in the making of Joseph in the same way they occur in every other story up to this point. Joseph has faith in the unseen. God's hand is on every part of his life.
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...which is why the rest of this chapter is so strange to me (see next entry).
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