GENESIS 47 JOSEPH PRESENTS JACOB TO PHARAOH
GENESIS 47
So Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan. They are now in the land of Goshen.” 2 And from among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were.” 4 They said to Pharaoh, “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. And now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” 5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.”7 Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 And Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the days of the years of your life?” 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.” 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh. 11 Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents. – Genesis 47:1-12
GENESIS 47 JOSEPH PRESENTS JACOB TO PHARAOH
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Jacob and his sons and whole household arrived in Goshen
Joseph announced to Pharaoh their arrival and presented his family
Pharaoh followed through his promise to Joseph that they could come
They were given the land of Rameses which was one of Egypt’s best lands.
If you trace back the story of how Joseph arrived in Egypt, it is so far from this scene we see at this account. Joseph was now ruler of Egypt second to the Pharaoh. He is treated as one of the Egyptians and his entire family were privileged to live in the best of Egypt.
REFLECTION
- How can Pharaoh extend such generosity to Joseph’s entire family?
