Genesis Part 3 Week 8

Day 1 

READ 

Genesis 46:28-29 

²⁸ As they neared their destination, Jacob sent Judah ahead to meet Joseph and get directions to the region of Goshen. And when they finally arrived there, ²⁹ Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father, Jacob. When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. 

Judah was the key person to meet Joseph and ask for directions to Goshen. Joseph met them there and had an emotional meeting with his father. “He embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time.” Neither of them thought they would ever see each other again.  

REFLECT 

What kind of greeting did you have with a loved one you thought you might never see again? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 46:28-34. This passage reveals what Joseph told the brothers to say when they met with Pharaoh. Joseph knew that Pharaoh would let them live in Goshen because “Egyptians despise shepherds.” This was God’s plan in keeping His people separate.  

Day 2 

READ 

Genesis 47:1-3 

¹ Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.” ² Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. ³ And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” 

Joseph presented his brothers to Pharaoh. Imagine how they felt meeting the leader of Egypt that could determine their welfare. Pharaoh asked about their occupation. Would they say what Joseph had told them to say? 

REFLECT 

Have you met a world leader? If so, how did you feel at the time? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 47:1-6. Pharaoh agreed to have the Hebrew shepherds live in the best land. This was Goshen, the fertile area where the Nile River drained into the Mediterranean. Even though the Egyptians despised shepherds, Pharaoh asked that if any had special skills to put them in charge of his livestock. 

Day 3 

READ 

Genesis 47:7-8 

⁷ Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ⁸ “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. 

What must it have been like for the elderly Jacob to stand before the ruler of Egypt? This great ruler could do whatever he wished with Jacob’s son. Jacob pronounced well-wishes on this pagan ruler. Pharaoh was interested in knowing Jacob’s age.  

REFLECT 

Have you had the privilege of praying with an unbeliever in Jesus and wishing God’s best for him or her? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 47:7-12. Jacob’s answer about his age is especially interesting. He said his 130 years had been “hard years.” Of course, Jacob’s actions were the primary reason they had been hard. Actions have consequences and Jacob experienced many of them. Jacob not only blessed Pharaoh as he entered but as he left. Joseph provided his larger family with whatever they needed.  

Day 4 

READ 

Genesis 47:13-14 

¹³ Meanwhile, the famine became so severe that all the food was used up, and people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan. ¹⁴ By selling grain to the people, Joseph eventually collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan, and he put the money in Pharaoh’s treasury. 

As expected, the seven good years were followed by seven bad years. People from Egypt and Canaan came to Joseph to buy grain. The money Joseph received was put into Pharaoh’s treasury.  

REFLECT 

It is sad to read about starving and desperate people. There have also been those experiencing this in the 21^st century.  

RESPOND  

With your friend read Genesis 47:13-26. This passage reveals what the people had to do as they became more desperate for food. After their money was gone, they gave up their livestock. After their livestock was gone they gave up their land. They also gave their bodies and became Pharaoh’s slaves.  

Day 5 

READ 

Genesis 47:27-28 

²⁷ Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. ²⁸ Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all. 

God had told Jacob that he would die in Egypt. While other people were starving and desperate, Jacob’s descendants had acquired property in Goshen. They were fruitful and their population was growing. This was clearly the way God was taking care of His people.  

REFLECT 

Consider how blessed believers in Jesus are because He has promised never to fail or abandon them (see Hebrews 13:5). 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 47:27-31. This passage tells about Jacob’s death after he had lived in Egypt for 17 years. It tells of how he made Joseph take an oath that his body would be taken out of Egypt and buried with his ancestors. Joseph took the oath to do as his father desired.