January 16
Genesis 46–47
Scripture Text: Genesis 46:1–47:31
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
Israel, also known as Jacob, the one who wrestled with God and prevailed, takes his entire family to Egypt to live under Joseph's care. God reminds him of the covenant, saying he will make a great nation of him there in Egypt. It sounds like the wrestling continues. Just so, when we are moved out of our comfort zones, we must continue to trust God.
Joseph's father and brothers are shepherds, an abhorent trade to the Egyptians, so Pharaoh puts them in charge of his livestock. Jacob/Israel bless the Pharaoh.
Soon, all the money in the land has been acquired by Joseph for Egypt. The people now pay for grain with their livestock. Would this place Joseph's family in a more valued position? Then, the people's land was bartered, and finally, they were brought into Egyptian servitude in exchange for food. Joseph does not do so in order to enslave but to save. He gives them seed and orders them to plant. The people are saved and their future insured. Do you wonder if Pharaoh or others wondered that their bleak existence began to turn when Israel came into their land?
Just before Israel died, he made Jospeh swear to bury him in their own land with his fathers.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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