Joseph went to inform Pharaoh of the arrival of his family in Egypt so that he might obtain for them a fresh welcome and a concession of the land of Goshen for their settlement. For this purpose, Joseph first went to the king alone; and then he introduced five of his brothers. Both he and they laid stress on the fact that the family’s occupation was that of shepherding. This would help secure their privilege to stay in Goshen, since that district was the most suitable for pastureland; and at the same time, it was remote and isolated from the majority of the Egyptians, who despised shepherds. Another point which the sons of Jacob emphasized before Pharaoh was that they had only come to sojourn in Egypt, not to permanently settle there. They had come upon the express invitation of Pharaoh, but they were at liberty to freely depart when the time came for them to do so. (It is important to take note of this, in connection with the wrong that was afterwards done to them in the forceful detention and cruel slavery of their descendants.) As Joseph had expected, Pharaoh assigned them a dwelling-place “in the best of the land” (verse 11) – that is, in the portion that was almost the only suitable area for pasturage, in the borderland between Canaan and Egypt. This region was called the land of Goshen, but it later became known by the name of Rameses.

Sometimes young people who have risen from a lowly origin to places of honor have not cared to acknowledge the members of their own family in the presence of the distinguished friends who stand around them in their new rank. But such was not the case with Joseph. His character shines in brilliant glory. The court of Pharaoh was a place of great splendor; and his father Jacob was a plain shepherd who was unconventional in manners, without worldly rank or honor, and elderly and famine-driven. But the love in Joseph’s heart for his father was so strong and so loyal that he told Pharaoh of the coming of his father as eagerly as if Jacob had also been royalty, and he confidently led the elderly shepherd right into the presence of the great king.

Jacob called his life a pilgrimage – that is, the sojourning of a traveler in a foreign land, who is on his journey homeward to his own country. He was not at home upon earth, for his inheritance and treasures were in heaven. And even though Jacob had now lived 130 years, he speaks of them as being only a few days; for they were few indeed in comparison with eternity. Nothing can make us truly happy except the prospect of our everlasting home in heaven after our short and weary pilgrimage in the wilderness of this world.

Not only did Joseph provide food for Jacob and his family (which was the special purpose for which the Lord Providentially brought Joseph to Egypt in the first place), but he also preserved the whole kingdom of Egypt from ruin. The famine was so great that there was no bread, and the people were about to die. See how much we depend upon God’s merciful Providence! All of our wealth would not keep us from starving if rain were withheld for two or three years. Silver and gold would not feed the Egyptians; they had to have grain, and they regarded Joseph as a public benefactor. The whole account that is given here is consistent with Joseph’s character – acting between Pharaoh and his subjects, in the fear of God. The Egyptians confessed to Joseph, “Thou hast saved our lives.” Imagine the multitudes of redeemed souls who will gratefully say to Jesus, on the Great Last Day, “Thou hast saved our souls from the most tremendous destruction, during the season of uttermost distress!” The Egyptians parted with all of their property, and even their liberty, for the saving of their lives. Can it be too much, then, for us to count everything loss and to part with all that we have for Jesus’ sake? Certainly not! He will save our souls; and He will more than compensate us for our losses, even in this present world. Surely if we are saved by Christ, we shall be willing to become His servants! 

At last, the time drew near that Jacob must die. Joseph supplied him with bread so that he might not die from famine, but that did not secure him from dying from old age or sickness. Jacob could tell that his time of departure was near; and as he saw the day approaching, he was concerned about his burial. He wished to be buried in the land of Canaan because it was the land of promise. It was a picture of heaven – that better country, which he plainly declared that he expected (Heb. 11:14). Nothing will be a better help to us when it is time for us to depart this world than the certain prospect of rest in the heavenly Canaan after we die! Yes, even those who lived upon Joseph’s faithful provision of food still faced a time of death. But our Lord Jesus gives us the true Bread of Life so that we may eat and live forever! To Him, therefore, let us come and yield ourselves. And when we draw near to death, He Who supported us here on earth will assure us of everlasting joy and happiness in heaven, where there is no more pain or sorrow!

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