Online Sermons
Lesson #11 - Sojourning In Egypt
Series: The Life of Joseph - A Tapestry of God's ProvidenceLESSON #11
Sojourning In Egypt
1. The arrival of Jacob’s clan! / Genesis 47
Could this transplantation have taken place at this time (in the midst of a famine) without Joseph’s mediation? – vs.1
Who did Joseph present to Pharaoh? – vs.2
What specific inquiry did Pharaoh make of the brothers? – vs.3
~ Did the brothers answer Pharaoh as directed/recommended by Joseph in advance? – cf. Gen.46:33-34
Was Pharaoh disturbed to hear that Joseph’s brothers were shepherds? – vs.6
~ Was Pharaoh’s acceptance of their occupation another indicator of his respect for Joseph?
Whom else did Joseph present to Pharaoh? – vs.7
Did Pharaoh “bless” Jacob or vice versa? – vss.7b & 10
What sad words did Jacob use in describing his life of 135 years – vs.9
2. Describe the land of Goshen?
The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land,
let them live in the land of Goshen… the best of the land … the land of Rameses – vss.6 & 11
What a welcome - - to be given such prime acreage!
cf. Gen.45:16 & 20 / I will give you the best of the land of Egypt
and you shall eat of the fat of the land … the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.
3. As the famine intensified, how did Joseph oversee the distribution of the food?
At first the food was sold for money. – vss.14-15
Once everyone’s fund$ were exhausted, food was exchanged for livestock. – vss.16-17
Next, their land was given over in exchange for food. – vss.18-20
~ Who group was an exception to this rule? – vs.22 & 26b
Finally, the people willingly “sold” themselves into servitude. – vs.25
~ The people were then strategically dispersed throughout Pharaoh’s rural domain and given seed to grow,
with the stipulation that they were to return one fifth of the crop at the harvest time. – vss.21-24 & 26
¡ Does it bother you that Joseph did not set up a welfare state with all manner of freebies given out?
4. How did Jacob’s family fare during the famine?
They acquired property…and were fruitful and became very numerous – vs.27
How long did Jacob live in the land of Egypt? – vs.28
~ Jacob was able to spend the last 17 years of his life with Joseph as he had the first 17 years of Joseph’s life.
~ Do you think these were “delightful years” for Jacob?
~ In the midst of a severe famine they dwelled (all together) in abundance. – vs. 27 and Gen.49:11
As Jacob’s demise drew near, what oath did require of Joseph? – vss.29-31
Next week’s assignment - Read Genesis 48 regarding the “blessings” Jacob gave to Joseph’s two sons.
