Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers 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 provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents. (47:11-12)
The world-wide famine is well under way, but God was taking care of Abraham’s descendants, having sent Joseph ahead of them. He gave him such prominence in the land, that now they are being provided for.
Prayer: God, You are so reliable! We do what we can to take care of our family and ourselves, but it is You who guides and blesses – may we remember to give honor and glory to You! Amen.
Note how again God keeps His Word:
Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place. (Genesis 46:27 -30)
Israel is ready to die at the ripe old age of 147. As God promised, Joseph is right there with him. Joseph is able to assent to his father’s request not to bury him in Egypt, but to take him back to the land they came from so that he may be buried in the burying place of his father and grandfather. Just as God said, “I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes” (Genesis 46:4).
Prayer: Thank You, God, that again and again and again, I see how trustworthy You are!
