This chapter of Genesis basically splits into three portions.
In the first part Pharaoh met Joseph’s family and granted permission for them to settle in the land of Goshen – the fertile grassy area of Egypt on the eastern side of the delta region of the Nile. This was perfect positioning for Israel and his family to continue their agricultural work, and Pharaoh even enlisted help from Joseph’s brothers to take care of his own livestock.
The encounter between Jacob and Pharaoh is an interesting one. Jacob blessed Pharaoh, which was fitting for the old man to bless the king. But in their conversation we learn that although Jacob is 130 years old, he sees his life this way, “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.” 130 years are “few”?!? Remember that Abraham died at 175 years. Isaac was 180 when he died. In addition, looking back to the generations before Abraham it was not uncommon for people to live over 200 years! Jacob himself would die at 147 years old. This is the period of time when lives were shortening to something more consistent with modern expectations.
The second part of the chapter records how Joseph sold grain and seed back to the people of Egypt and acquired money, land and servants for Pharaoh. In the end he essentially imposed a 20% tax on the people of Egypt.
The final portion records an exchange between Joseph and his father during which Jacob requests to be buried back in Canaan – back in the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and himself – and with his Family – with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah. Joseph, of course, promises that when his father dies they will take his body back and bury him in the Promised Land.
I find this final portion to be significant because Jacob recognized something about his life in Egypt. Jacob understood something that we would do well to understand and take hold of. He knew that Egypt was not his home. He had been promised a place in Canaan. That land belonged to him and his family on God’s promise. He did not want to be buried in a foreign land, but in the place that God promised for him.
We too have a Promised Land. Jesus went ahead to prepare a place for us. We long for a city whose architect and builder is God himself. We generally call this place that is prepared for us “Heaven” but it is more than the ephemeral spiritual realm that many imagine “Heaven” to be. It is a new perfected creation, and everyone who puts their hope in Jesus; who was crucified, rose from the dead, and is coming again; will live in it with resurrected perfected bodies.
As we sojourn in this world, it is good to remember that this world is not our home. Jesus is preparing somewhere wonderful for us, and he is the Way to get there. Our hearts should continually long for that home, where we will dwell with God in His glory.
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me a home in your family and presence. Help me to live in anticipation of that home, and help me to bring others with me when I come; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In the first part Pharaoh met Joseph’s family and granted permission for them to settle in the land of Goshen – the fertile grassy area of Egypt on the eastern side of the delta region of the Nile. This was perfect positioning for Israel and his family to continue their agricultural work, and Pharaoh even enlisted help from Joseph’s brothers to take care of his own livestock.
The encounter between Jacob and Pharaoh is an interesting one. Jacob blessed Pharaoh, which was fitting for the old man to bless the king. But in their conversation we learn that although Jacob is 130 years old, he sees his life this way, “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.” 130 years are “few”?!? Remember that Abraham died at 175 years. Isaac was 180 when he died. In addition, looking back to the generations before Abraham it was not uncommon for people to live over 200 years! Jacob himself would die at 147 years old. This is the period of time when lives were shortening to something more consistent with modern expectations.
The second part of the chapter records how Joseph sold grain and seed back to the people of Egypt and acquired money, land and servants for Pharaoh. In the end he essentially imposed a 20% tax on the people of Egypt.
The final portion records an exchange between Joseph and his father during which Jacob requests to be buried back in Canaan – back in the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and himself – and with his Family – with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah. Joseph, of course, promises that when his father dies they will take his body back and bury him in the Promised Land.
I find this final portion to be significant because Jacob recognized something about his life in Egypt. Jacob understood something that we would do well to understand and take hold of. He knew that Egypt was not his home. He had been promised a place in Canaan. That land belonged to him and his family on God’s promise. He did not want to be buried in a foreign land, but in the place that God promised for him.
We too have a Promised Land. Jesus went ahead to prepare a place for us. We long for a city whose architect and builder is God himself. We generally call this place that is prepared for us “Heaven” but it is more than the ephemeral spiritual realm that many imagine “Heaven” to be. It is a new perfected creation, and everyone who puts their hope in Jesus; who was crucified, rose from the dead, and is coming again; will live in it with resurrected perfected bodies.
As we sojourn in this world, it is good to remember that this world is not our home. Jesus is preparing somewhere wonderful for us, and he is the Way to get there. Our hearts should continually long for that home, where we will dwell with God in His glory.
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me a home in your family and presence. Help me to live in anticipation of that home, and help me to bring others with me when I come; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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