the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock." Sermons
I. TESTIMONY TO POWER OF CHARACTER. Joseph's influence. The five brethren selected perhaps with a view to their appearance, and in the number five, which was regarded as a significant number among the Egyptians. The monarch's reception of the strangers due to Joseph's influence. Generally diffused. There is much graciousness in the heathen monarch, although partly to be ascribed to national characteristics, for the Egyptians were a very different race from the Canaanites; still we may believe that the conduct of Pharaoh was mostly due to the effect of Joseph's ministry and personal exemplification of the religious life. One true man is a great power in a country. II. A conspicuous EXAMPLE of Divine grace. The old patriarch is presented. He plainly impressed the monarch as extremely aged, perhaps indicating that the centenarian was a great rarity then among heathen nations. His long life was a long course of gracious dealings. The effect of a religious life in prolonging the years is exemplified. It is said that since Christianity obtained its legitimate, or more of its legitimate influence in Europe, the average length of human life has been doubled. Yet, as Jacob confesses, he is not as old as his fathers. His life had been a pilgrimage in a wilderness. His days few and evil, compared with what they might have been. Seventeen years longer they were lengthened out - a testimony to the effect of peace and prosperity in preserving life when it is under the blessing of God. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. The less is blessed of the greater. The two princes stood face to face - the prince of God - the prince of Egypt. III. A PROPHETIC PACT: the world shall be blessed through the heirs of the Divine promise. Jacob had much to be thankful for; and although he thanked God first, he teaches us by his example not to forget the claims of fellow-creatures in our gratitude, even though they be separated from us in faith and religion. - R.
In the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell. 1. In the first place, GOD GIVETH THE BEST UNTO HIS TRUE ISRAEL. He gives them a land of rest, He gives them a land of safety, He gives them a land of abundance, and He giveth them the best things in that land. He not only pardons them, but His pardon is a costly pardon. He not only gives them righteousness, but He gives them a glorious righteousness. Does He supply their wants? It is all fulness He gives them; even for the supply of the little ones, as you observe in the twenty-fourth verse: "And it shall come to pass, in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh; and four parts shall be your own, for the seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones," unfolding this great truth — that the supply which is in Christ, is not only for the least, but for the least wants of the least; that there is nothing minute in God's sight. He has provided for helplessness of body, for nervousness of spirit, for a distracted mind, for strong inward temptations, for outward trials, for domestic afflictions, for everything that concerns us in that straight way, the straightness of which at times no one can enter into but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.II. But now observe, secondly, WHY IT IS GOD DOES THIS. 1. Wherever God acteth, He acted as God — greatly; what He doeth, He doeth as God, worthy God. You and I act below ourselves; God never can act below Himself. The great God in His forgiveness is great; in His righteousness He is great; in the abundant supplies of His grace He is great; in the freeness of His salvation He is great; in the sympathies of His love He is great; and that because He is God (see Isaiah 55:7-9; Hosea 11:8, 9). 2. But there is another reason; that is, the love which He bears towards His Israel. Who can describe what that love is? 3. But there is another reason, and I think, if I were to lose sight of that, I should lose sight of the Gospel itself; every blessing that the Israel of God enjoy, they enjoy for the true Joseph's sake. It is not for their sakes, but it is for Christ's sake. III. THE PRACTICAL REARING OF THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT. 1. Great cause for deep thankfulness. 2. Then there is in the subject that which should lead to great stirring up of desire. We should desire that we may enter into the best of the land. 3. I am sure we have great cause for deep abasement as we think of the subject. God has given us the best; what have we given Him? (J. H. Evans, M. A.) People Egyptians, Jacob, Joseph, PharaohPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, RamesesTopics Ability, Able, Activity, Best, Brethren, Brothers, Capable, Cattle, Cause, Charge, Disposal, Dwell, Ears, Egypt, Goshen, Hast, Heads, Jacob, Joseph, Livestock, Overseers, Pharaoh, Resting-place, Rulers, Settle, Sons, SpecialOutline 1. Joseph presents his father, and five of his brothers before Pharaoh.11. He gives them habitation and maintenance. 13. He gets the Egyptian's money; 16. their cattle; 18. and their lands, except the priests', to Pharaoh. 23. He restores the land for a fifth. 28. Jacob's age. 29. He swears Joseph to bury him with his fathers. Dictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 47:4Library Two Retrospects of one Life'And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.'--GENESIS xlvii. 9. 'The God which fed me all my life long unto this day; the Angel which redeemed me from all evil.' --GENESIS xlviii. 15,16. These are two strangely different estimates of the same life to be taken by the same man. In the latter Jacob categorically contradicts everything that he had said in the former. 'Few and evil,' he said before Pharaoh. 'All my life long,' 'the Angel which redeemed me from … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Growth by Transplanting Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready to Die. The Shortness and Misery of Life. A Cloud of Witnesses. Elucidations. A Believer's Privilege at Death Genesis Links Genesis 47:6 NIVGenesis 47:6 NLT Genesis 47:6 ESV Genesis 47:6 NASB Genesis 47:6 KJV Genesis 47:6 Bible Apps Genesis 47:6 Parallel Genesis 47:6 Biblia Paralela Genesis 47:6 Chinese Bible Genesis 47:6 French Bible Genesis 47:6 German Bible Genesis 47:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |