Jacob Blesses Pharaoh Genesis 47

 

Genesis 47 – Jacob Blesses Pharaoh

 

Jacob was a blessing in Egypt.  He blessed Pharaoh, Joseph, and his sons, and all twelve of the sons of Israel. God blesses us that we might be a blessing. Circumstance’s change, but God never changes.

Egypt was a haven for Jacob and his family, and God knew that Egypt was not his home.  Canaan was and he wanted to be buried there with the others who had the same pilgrimage of faith.  He was a testimony in life, and he wanted to be a testimony in death.  Despite his mistakes and failures in life, Jacob ended well at the age of 147. He had lived 17 years in the land of Egypt. 

When he blessed Pharaoh, He gave God glory for his life, and he made no boast about his accomplishments.  He was just a sinner, saved by the grace of God.

We have not anything to brag about except a wonderful Savior who has been gracious and patient with us down through the years.  He is all any of us must boast about.

Joseph had stored grain in the land of Egypt, but the land is not producing grain anymore.  Joseph then bought the land for Pharaoh, and he is allowing the people to live by furnishing them food.  There is no doubt that the famine was a terrible thing, not only in the land of Egypt and Canaan but all over the earth.  We keep our focus here because this is where the story happens. Joseph is aware that the famine will end the next year, so he tells the people to sow their own grain.

The success of Joseph in acquiring all the land for Pharaoh makes Jacob believe that his family might become comfortable and never want to return to Canaan. He knew that he would die soon so requested he be buried in Canaan.  Abraham believed that he would be raised from the dead in Canaan. Isaac believed the same.  Now Jacob is expressing the same faith.

For believers today it makes no difference where we are buried.  At the time of the rapture, wherever we are, we shall be raised, and our bodies will join our spirits; that is, if we have died before the rapture takes place.  If we are still living, then we shall be changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

 

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J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.