Review of Genesis 47

— by Victor Fawole

It’s Review o’ Clock and we are on Genesis 47. This is the beginning that set the stage for the next 400 years. Israel would live in Egypt, albeit separate from the Egyptians because their animal husbandry business was an abomination to the Egyptians. Like I mentioned in yesterday’s review, Egypt is both a real place and the Bible uses it as a metaphor for the world. In today’s review, let us learn some key lessons for our Christian living in this world.

Let us review…

1. LIVE AS A SOJOURNER

Gen. 47:4,9 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks… And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years…

Jacob and his family repeatedly mentioned that they were on pilgrimage in this world (Gen. 47:4, 9; Psa. 105:23). This was Abraham’s mentality too. He stated that he had lived as “a stranger and a sojourner among” Canaanites (Gen. 23:3-4, Heb. 11:9). Moses named his son “Gershom” because he saw himself as a sojourner (Exo. 2:22). David also had the sojourner mentality (Psa. 39:12, Psa. 119:19, 1Chr. 29:15). Our Lord Jesus journeyed through this earth without a “permanent home” (Luke 9:58; Matt. 8:20). In fact, the writer of Hebrews mentioned that bible patriarchs were “strangers and exiles on the earth” (Heb. 11:13).

These Bible characters have set the model for us. This pilgrim mentality is what can help us live for God. Our real home is not this world; our real home is heaven. (Phil. 3:20). Just as Pharaoh told Israel to settle wherever they pleased (Gen. 47:6) and Abimelech told Abraham the same thing (Gen. 20:15), we also have the opportunity to settle and enjoy the land around us. However, God does not want us to think that our permanent inheritance is here on earth (Lev. 25:23). He wants us to live as strangers to the evil things of this world (1Pet. 2:11).

2. LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

Gen. 47:8-9 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

Jacob described his days on earth in two words: “few” and “evil”.

He compared his life to that of his ancestors and acknowledged that he had not lived as long as they did. Abraham died at 175 (Gen. 25:7), and Isaac at 180 (Gen. 35:28). Jacob is now only 130, and would die at 147 (Gen. 47:28). The understanding of the brevity of life (Psa. 39:5, Job 14:1) is one of the truths that can keep us humble and refrain us from doing life without God, as we learnt in “Yet Not I! — Part 5 (The Solution Experience)”

However, the truth of the brevity of life should not make us want or attract death at a young age or at prime time. It is God’s desire to satisfy us with vitality, even till at old age and (Psa. 91:16, Psa. 92:14); however, a satisfactory long life cannot be experienced when one lives in the flesh.

1Pet. 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Psa. 34:12-14 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

When Jacob said that his days were few and evil, he meant it. He recognized that the majority of his life was lived in the flesh. He experienced different difficulties. He had been striving from his mother’s womb. There was strife in his home – with his parents and brother. He deceived his father. He endured abuse and deception under Laban. There was a tough strife between his wives. His daughter was raped, his sons became violent, he lost his favourite wife, and his favourite son too. He had lived his life as a reckless hustler who would do anything to get his way. What a life lived in the flesh!

3. LIVE BY DIVINE SUPPLY

Gen. 47:11-12 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.

In the midst of a severe famine, God provided for His people in Egypt through Joseph. Israel looked to Joseph (and Joseph only) as their source of provision and supply. In spite of the global crisis, God ensured that Israel did not lack. Wherever God guides us, He provides for us there. I have heard it said many times that “When you are in God’s location, you will not miss God’s allocation.”

It’s interesting to note that Israel was given the best of the land as a possession, which is very unlikely for immigrants. Their strategic settlement was a generous gift from Pharaoh. It was all fertile fields and secure surroundings, and the prosperous provision they enjoyed helped them build a thriving territory.

Just as Joseph nourished and cared for his father and the whole nation of Israel, Jesus also cares for every believer (Hos. 13:5). He is our Manna and our Food (John 6:35; Matt. 6:31). He is also the “Rock” that gives us the water that truly satisfies (John 4:14; John 6:36; John 7:37-38, 1Cor. 10:3-4). He clothes us (Matt. 6:30). He protects us as our Rock and Shield (Psa. 18:30; 2Sam. 22:3). He has told us not to worry about our provision (Matt. 6:34), because He wants us to live without worries, trusting in His divine supply.

Later in this chapter, this was the summary of how divine supply led to earthly surplus:

Gen. 47:11-12 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

Israel was blessed with properties, possessions, and progenies. The nation multiplied greatly. Some bible scholars say that their population growth rate was over 6% per year. I compared that with that of today’s countries, and only Syria hit the 6% mark (with 6.39% – South Sudan is second with 4.78%). And when you put that in the perspective of today’s scientific advancements, you will appreciate the blessedness of Israel and the growth God gave them.

Before I round up this review, permit me to share these seven pictures of Jesus that we can see in this chapter:

A. THE BREAD OF LIFE:
Joseph storing up grain for the famine pictures Jesus (the Bread of Life) Who provides spiritual sustenance for His people (John 6:35).

B. THE SHEPHERD:
Joseph caring for his father and brothers pictures Jesus (the Good Shepherd) who cares for His flock (John 10:11, Psa. 23:3).

C. THE PROVIDER:
Joseph provision for his family’s needs pictures Jesus Who provides for our spiritual needs (Matt. 6:25-34).

D. THE SAVIOUR:
Joseph saving his family and the world from famine foreshadows Jesus, the Saviour of the world (John 3:16, John 4:42).

E. THE KING:
Joseph’s leadership in Egypt pictures Jesus (the King of kings) Who reigns over His kingdom (Rev. 19:16).

F. THE REFUGE:
The land of Goshen where Jacob’s family found refuge, represents Jesus, our Refuge and Shelter (Psa. 91:2).

G. THE SUSTAINER:
Joseph sustaining his family through the famine pictures Jesus, Who sustains us through life’s challenges (Isa. 46:4).

Dear Gogolights, no matter the position or location we find ourselves in, no matter what the local global economy is saying, let us live by the sufficiency of God. This is the kind of lifestyle that can help us develop a healthy desire for success that is solidified by godly contentment.

Grace to you, Church!