Genesis 47 & 48: Will You Give Your Best?
Verse of the Day: (47:6) The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren 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.
1. Best (47:1-12)
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. (47:11)
Pharaoh gave Joseph the best land for him and his family to tend all the cattle and sheep of Egypt. Pharaoh knew that God had given him the best man, Joseph, who not only accurately interpreted his dreams, but also saved his country, Egypt, as well as the world, from starvation. Pharaoh knew that Joseph loved his family, and therefore he gave them possession of the best land in Egypt. Pharaoh knew that without Joseph, he and his people would have perished because of the severe famine. However, God’s love is greater than Joseph’s, in fact, it is the greatest, as God gave His best, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of the whole world. Whoever therefore believes in Jesus shall never die, as their precious souls shall forever be with God in glorious heaven!
2. Bury (47:13-31)
But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. (47:30)
Israel requested Joseph, his dearest son, that upon his death, to carry his body to Canaan and bury him together with his forefathers who were also buried there. Israel desired to fulfil God’s great promise to Abraham, his forefather, the father of the nation of Israel, that their people shall be fruitful and shall multiply themselves throughout the world. Indeed, today, Israel is one of the most powerful nations of the world, and let us pray that the people of Israel shall come to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ! (John 3:16)
3. Brother (48:1-22)
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. (48:19)
Though Israel, by custom, was supposed to put his right hand on Manasseh’s head, Joseph’s firstborn, and bless him, yet God moved him to bless Ephraim, Manasseh’s younger brother. Indeed, man can never change God’s plan and purpose, as He is the supreme and sovereign God. Let us submit to God, even though many times we may not fully understand His plan and purpose, because His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts, just as the heavens are higher than the earth! (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to give my best to You, as You give Your best to me.
