Genesis 46/7 | West Street Church

Bible Study Notes – Genesis 46 & 47.

Joseph’s reconciliation with his father & the family settle in Egypt,

The Lord will remain faithful to his promises & plans for our lives.

Introduction & setting the context.

Last week we reflected on Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers.
We now continue the story reflecting on,
- Joseph’s reunion with his father Jacob & the Lords provision in settling the family in Egypt.
- How this account of our sovereign Lords faithfulness, promises & provision can be an encouragement in our individual lives.
- The impact we can have on people we come into daily contact with.
Firstly, let us identify in Genesis the Lords individual promises to Abraham & his descendants – some of the key ones I would highlight are,
- A 3-fold promise to Abraham to provide land, descendants & blessing – Genesis 12:1-3.
- Gods Covenant with Abraham – Genesis 15:1-6.
- The covenant promise to Israel & its offspring – Genesis 17:7 & 8.
- Removal of Sarah’s bareness & birth of Isaac – Genesis 17:15-17.
- Promise to Abraham regarding Hagar & Ishmael – Genesis 21:13.
- The promise to Isaac of land & descendants – Genesis 26:2-5.
- Confirmed to Jacob in a dream at Beersheba – Genesis 28:13-15.
- Assurance to Jacob as he departs to Egypt – Genesis 46:3 & 4.
- Abrahams patience is noted in awaiting & obtaining the Lords promises – Hebrews 6:13 & 14.

The Lords reassurance to Jacob – read Genesis 46:1-4.

What promises & reassurance did the Lord gave to Jacob (Israel) at Beersheba as he journeyed with his family to Egypt.
- Beersheba had an important place in Jacob’s life – scene of the original dream – he stopped there to honour God in sacrifice.
- Perhaps Jacob was remembering the Lords promise the last time (40 yrs. before) at Beersheba – Genesis 28:15 – to never leave or forsake him until he brought him back & done all he had promised,
- On this occasion – God called Jacob by name & reassured him,
  - Not be afraid to go to Egypt (v4).
  - There, they will grow to be a great nation (v4).
  - Of his presence with him in Egypt (v5).
  - It will not be permanent. God will bring him out of Egypt (v5).
  - Joseph will be present at his death (v5).

Application: Does this promise particularly apply to you at this time as you move thru a life changing moment in your life?

Recall the Lords promise to Joshua as he was about to enter the land after the death of Moses “I will not leave you or forsake you” – Joshua 1:5 (repeated in Hebrews 13:5).
Like Jacob & Joshua we may not know what the future holds but that it is in the Lords hand – Ecclesiastics 7:14.

The family departs for Egypt: all 70 of them – read Genesis 46:5-27.

What was the significance of Judah & his son Perez (v12) in the Lords sovereignty and the genealogy of Jesus – refer to Luke 3:33.
- Recognised as being part of our Lords earthly family tree.
- From this group of people a nation (Israel) grew thru whom the Lord would progressively accomplish his redemptive plan.
- From this group the nation grew to 603,550 men of fighting age leaving Egypt in the census as recorded in Numbers 1:46.

Jacob & Joseph are reunited – read Genesis 46:28-34.

How had Judah changed with the responsibility & position Jacob now gave him (v28)?
- As with the brothers encounter with Joseph (Gen 44:16) Judah is nominated as his family representative – endorsed by Jacob who may be building on Judah’s relationship with Joseph.
- Some commentators say it was fitting for Judah, of the Messianic line, to escort Israel into Goshen, the land of abundance

Application: as an example of how the Lord can use changed lives.

As with any father-son reunion it was one of emotion (v29 & 30)
Note the significance of shepherds to the Egyptians & the wisdom of Joseph in providing a region for the family to settle (v32 – 34).
- To Pharaoh they should declare they were a heritage of shepherds.
- Joseph knew shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians.
- Seeking to have them live in Goshen – northeast section of the Egyptian Delta – was an ideal location for their livestock.

Application: The Lord provides us with an earthly wisdom which we should use to his glory – guided by his spirit – have you any current individual examples?

Joseph, with Pharaoh’s blessing provides for the family,

– read Genesis 47:1-12.

What was Pharaoh’s blessing and provision to the family & Jacob’s response?
- Should settle in best of the land – Goshen – (v6).
- Able men put in charge of his livestock – (v6).
- Pharaoh – Senusert III – had honoured his father’s commitments.
- Jacob pronounced a blessing on Pharaoh for his generosity & provision of a safe place for his family (v7 & 10).
- Pharaoh, although recognised by his people as a god, acknowledged Jacob as a man of God & accepted his blessing.

Application: an example of how we should, in the Lords name honour our earthly leaders.

Joseph continues to manage the famine – read Genesis 47:13-26.

What were the key actions Joseph was taking in managing the famine with the impact on Pharaoh’s prosperity?
- Generated revenue from Egypt & Canaan by selling grain (v14).
- No ‘free lunches’ – exchanged food for livestock (v15 – 17).
- The 3^rd year acquired their land assets (v19 – 21).
- Encouraged them to help themselves by sowing seeds & producing future harvests (v23).
- In return they should give 20% tax of the produce to Pharaoh (v24).
- Even in slavery to Pharaoh earned the respect of the Egyptian people whose lives he had saved (v25).

Application:

What a witness Joseph had established to the Lord in using earthly wisdom which was recognised by the people.
An example to us as we live our lives in our families, jobs & the community.

Jacob’s burial request to Joseph – read Genesis 47:27-31.

Why would Jacob request not to be buried in Egypt?
- Jacob having lived 17 yrs. in Egypt was now147 (28).
- He no doubt recalled Gods promise concerning Joseph’s hand closing his eyes – Genesis 46:4.
- Recognised Joseph had the power & authority to accomplish this.
- God’s promise to bring him out of Egypt, if not alive then his body,
- He requested be laid to rest in family burial ground at Hebron (v30),
  - Field of Ephron, Machpelah, east of Mamre – Genesis 23:17.
  - With grandfather (Abraham), grandmother (Sarah), father (Isaac), mother (Rebekah) & wife (Leah) – Gen. 49:29 – 32.
- Note Jacob was not buried with his beloved Rachel who was buried at Bethlehem – Genesis 35:14.

Reflect on any personal applications & takeaways you may have from reading chapters 46 &47.

As we read the story we observe how God used Joseph to provide for his family and we can reflect on,
- The Lords faithfulness in maintaining his provision & promises.
- Personal encouragement this can have for each of us individually.
- From this group of people a nation (Israel) grew thru whom the Lord would progressively accomplish his redemptive plan in Jesus.
- Like Joseph we can have an impact on the lives of people we come into contact with on a daily basis.
- The Lord has a plan for our lives & although things may appear difficult at present this will be revealed as we remain faithful.
- We can rest on the promise of God to Joshua to “not leave us or forsake us”.