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1. The chief value of this narrative is that it affords one of the most impressive of all illustrations of the providential purposes of God.

2. We gain here some insight into the business regulations of a successful government. Pharaoh appears to have been a model king. He managed the state on business principles. The first question he asked these strangers who had come to settle in his kingdom was, "What is your occupation?" Such a government expects its subjects to be men of business. No idlers were wanted there in time of famine; none but men of ability, active habits, prudence, capacity.

3. We find in this scene an example of courtesy. There is a touching simplicity and an air of vivid reality in this picture, which leads to intuitive recognition of its genuineness. Jacob respected Pharaoh's office, and Pharaoh respected Jacob's age.

4. We have here also a model for conversation.

5. This scene suggests a sad retrospect. Jacob as a prince had prevailed with God. He had gained the birthright, but he had not escaped the consequences of his own sins. Men do not escape the fruits of sin by receiving honours in the kingdom of God. God's grace may brighten the future, but nothing else than righteous living can make happy memories; and the shadows of youthful transgression stretch across a long life.

6. We have in this scene a remainder of our eternal relations with God.

(A. E. Dunning.)

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KJV: And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

WEB: Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.