Day 4 - Genesis 40:12 - 50:26

In today’s section, we read about:

Joseph tells the interpretations, given to him by God, of the dreams of fellow prisoners and Pharaoh
Joseph put in administrative charge of Egypt and the food programme
Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy grain
Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, and the whole family moves to Egypt
Jacob blesses his family and descendants
Deaths of Jacob and Joseph

Some things that struck me today:

Pharaoh hears the dreams being interpreted, and comes to the conclusion that this 30-years foreign prisoner is the best man to save the country from devastation. The explanation is brilliant “Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”” (41:38)

Joseph has been prepared for this, is the same way that Moses would be. He said the truth even thought it made him unpopular (to his family), he ran the home of the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, so introduced to court life, and he was even put in charge of the other prisoners. 13 years had gone by in this process, almost as long as the critical 14 year period where he would be supervising operations

There is so much of the parable of the lost son (Luke 15) in the parts of Genesis we have looked at over the past couple of days, but here it is even more noticeable. Gen 41:41 – Joseph has a ring put on his finger and is dressed in a fine robe (Lk 15:22), Gen 43:16 – slaughter an animal and celebrate their return (Lk 15:23).

There are other resonances from the gospels – Gen 41:49 talks about the amount of grain being beyond measure (Lk 6:38 talks of God given back to us with the measure we use, pressed down and overflowing). Gen 50:5 “please allow me to go and bury my father”, similar language if not sentiment to Matthew 8:21

It is not Pharaoh, absolute ruler, and now owner of all the land, wealth and people of Egypt as slaves, who blesses this elderly visitor from a family of shepherds. Instead it is Jacob who blesses Pharaoh, not once but twice (47:7, 10)

The relegation of Reuben from his status as firstborn and therefore first in rank is completed in 49:4, as the reward for his earlier sin. But there are hints throughout – Reuben offers to guarantee Benjamin’s life, but when the time comes it is Judah who does so. It is Judah who steps forward and speaks on all their behalf before Joseph (true identity then still unknown). And then when they arrive in Egypt (46:28), Jacob sends Judah ahead to meet Joseph not Reuben.

Jacob’s last words to his sons are hardly the best character reference, yet in keeping with the troubled family history. By the time Moses pronounces similar blessings in Deut 33, the blessings are for whole tribes of 40,000-80,000 people, and not about the characters of the 12 individuals.

The brothers’ response in chapter 50 after Jacob dies is typical of how we can respond to God’s love at times. We wonder whether we are completely restored and forgiven, in spite of all the mercy, grace and blessings God has showered on us.