(1) After Pharaoh met Joseph's brothers he told Joseph that they may live in the land of Goshen v.6. Therefore, they settled there.
47:11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers. He gave them territory in the land of Egypt, in the best region of the land, the land of Rameses, just as Pharaoh had commanded
The phrase, "just as Pharaoh had commanded," gave the impression that Pharaoh has treated Jacob's family very well when they first settled in Egypt.
(2) It was a contrast between Israelite and Egyptians. They came to Egypt and lived in the best part of the region with Pharaoh generous offer. The Egyptians were survived through the severe famine by giving everything to Pharaoh.13 But there was no food in all the land because the famine was very severe
47:11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers. He gave them territory in the land of Egypt, in the best region of the land, the land of Rameses, just as Pharaoh had commanded
The phrase, "just as Pharaoh had commanded," gave the impression that Pharaoh has treated Jacob's family very well when they first settled in Egypt.
27 Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they owned land there. They were fruitful and increased rapidly in number
(BKC) So God blessed His people according to the promises He made to Abraham. They were fast becoming a great nation.
12 Joseph also provided food for his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household, according to the number of their little children.
People first used their money to buy the grain v.14, then with their livestock v.16, and then with their land and even themselves as slaves to Pharaoh v.19. Joseph not only blessed his family but he also saved the Egyptians.
25 They replied, “You have saved our lives! You are showing us favor, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.”
(NET) Pharaoh’s slaves. The idea of slavery is not attractive to the modern mind, but in the ancient world it was the primary way of dealing with the poor and destitute. If the people became slaves of Pharaoh, it was Pharaoh’s responsibility to feed them and care for them. It was the best way for them to survive the famine.
(BKC) Joseph proved to be a wise administrator in the land of Egypt, so that under his authority the people were saved from starvation and Pharaoh prospered...God blessed Pharaoh because he had blessed the seed of Abraham with the best of Egypt
(3) It was almost strange for Jacob to complain about his life in front of Pharaoh. That kind of conversation should be held in between your good friend.
47:9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, “All the years of my travels are 130. All the years of my life have been few and painful; the years of my travels are not as long as those of my ancestors.”
(NET) "travels" Jacob uses a term that depicts him as one who has lived an unsettled life, temporarily residing in many different places.
"few and painful" Jacob is thinking back through all the troubles he had to endure to get to this point.
Abraham was 175, Isaac 180 and Jacob was 130 when he met Pharaoh. When he experienced the famine he looked back at his life and got emotional. Now, he was relieved from the pressure of the famine when he arrived in Egypt and therefore, he expressed his feelings to Pharaoh.
Part of the reason why Jacob's life was so hard was because he deceived his brother and father. Therefore, he ran away to Laban and got deceived by him.
Reflection: When we look back into our lives what is your conclusion? Whatever the conclusion you have Jacob also reminded that it was only a "traveling." Our home is not here, but in heaven. We will not live here forever. Do not be too attached to the world here.
Or when we look back into our lives before we got saved by Jesus what do you see? Do you find any difference between now and before you are saved? Was it difficult or painful because of our sinful lifestyle?
Audrey
Reflection: Joseph was like the role of Jesus in our lives. On one hand, Jesus saved us from our sins (Joseph saved Egyptians from death of starvation). On the other hand, Jesus provided us with a new life (Joseph provided the chance to live in Egypt for his family). I thank Jesus for what He had done for us.
(3) It was almost strange for Jacob to complain about his life in front of Pharaoh. That kind of conversation should be held in between your good friend.
47:9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, “All the years of my travels are 130. All the years of my life have been few and painful; the years of my travels are not as long as those of my ancestors.”
(NET) "travels" Jacob uses a term that depicts him as one who has lived an unsettled life, temporarily residing in many different places.
"few and painful" Jacob is thinking back through all the troubles he had to endure to get to this point.
Abraham was 175, Isaac 180 and Jacob was 130 when he met Pharaoh. When he experienced the famine he looked back at his life and got emotional. Now, he was relieved from the pressure of the famine when he arrived in Egypt and therefore, he expressed his feelings to Pharaoh.
Part of the reason why Jacob's life was so hard was because he deceived his brother and father. Therefore, he ran away to Laban and got deceived by him.
Reflection: When we look back into our lives what is your conclusion? Whatever the conclusion you have Jacob also reminded that it was only a "traveling." Our home is not here, but in heaven. We will not live here forever. Do not be too attached to the world here.
Or when we look back into our lives before we got saved by Jesus what do you see? Do you find any difference between now and before you are saved? Was it difficult or painful because of our sinful lifestyle?
Audrey
Summary and Reflection of 2026: Joseph was chosen by God to rule and save his family. When they arrived in Egypt they were treated well. While the rest of the land was in famine they lived in the best region of the land with pasture to their livestock. They not only survive, but prospered. God was behind all these.
God blessed us through some people in our lives who sent through many years of sufferings themselves. Who are these people in our lives? How can we become a blessings to others?
Our sufferings do have meaning in God's hands.
Questions:
1) v.9 All the years of my life have been few and painful; the years of my travels are not as long as those of my ancestors
1) v.9 All the years of my life have been few and painful; the years of my travels are not as long as those of my ancestors
2) v.13 13 But there was no food in all the land because the famine was very severe; the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan wasted away because of the famine
3) v.25 25 They replied, “You have saved our lives! You are showing us favor, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.”
Joseph interpreted the dreams and knew how to manage and store the food when they had plenty. Now, he used wisdom to exchange what they people for the food. They felt grateful to him.
4). I need to learn Joseph in preparing for the future and deal with people with wisdom.
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