The Book of Genesis
Part 93
Chapter 47:7-26
Throughout our studies of the life of Joseph we have considered him in his relationship to God and to his family, in this portion of the Book we are to look at him in his relationship to the state, Egypt. That his relationship to the Government of that land was extraordinary is admitted for he was part of that government for a number of years. Nevertheless, he, like all the people of God everywhere, must meet the high standards set by the Lord, “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). Joseph’s attitude to those over him must be the same as that taught in the Word of God: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king as supreme: Or unto governors” (1 Pet. 2:13-14). “First of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Joseph would have to be faithful to the Crown, to the Egyptian People, and to his own family, the members of which were now guests of Pharaoh.
His Family
Any criticism of Joseph’s care for his father and his brothers and their families can only be accepted as a criticism of the policy of the monarch. It was he who said, “The Land of Egypt is before thee, in the best of the land make thy father and brethen to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell; and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle” (V. 6).
Pharaoh had already honoured Joseph, but may we not accept the kindness of the monarch toward Jacob and his sons as another token of the high esteem in which Joseph was held by all in authority? Such would be but small recompense for the great service rendered by the man whom Pharaoh had named “The Saviour of the World,” Joseph.
With the arrangement made by Pharaoh God saved, as later He did in other adverse circumstances, the line of the Messiah. Many were the vicissitudes that befell the direct ancestors of Christ, a list of which stretches from the centuries before Abraham (Matt. 1:1-17. Luke 3:23-38). A further example of this timely preservation is found in the case of the boy king Joash (2 Kings 11).
Joseph himself was conscious of divine intervention in the entire plan and made reference to this when speaking with his brethren after the death of his father (Gen. 50:19-21).
This remarkable Prime Minister was just the kind of brother that is born for adversity (Prov. 17:17). How splendidly Joseph illustrates the conclusion of the Apostle John, “He that loveth his brethren abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10).
“The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt” (Walter Scott).