A Blessing

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

A BLESSING

Gen 47:1-10

47:1 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, "My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen." 2 He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. 3 Pharaoh asked the brothers, "What is your occupation?" "Your servants are shepherds," they replied to Pharaoh, "just as our fathers were." 4 They also said to him, "We have come to live here awhile, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants' flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen." 5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you, 6 and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock." 7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, 8 Pharaoh asked him, "How old are you?" 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

NIV

This conversation between Joseph and Pharoah is as Joseph told his father what would happen regarding Pharoah asking them about their occupation.  Although all went as planned and the brothers told Pharoah they were shepherds, Pharoah did not ask Jacob what his occupation was. He asked Jacob how old he was. We wonder if the Egyptians lived as long as the Hebrews did since they served God Almighty, while the Egyptians served many false gods. The response of Jacob is a bit surprising, but when we review his life it does not seem that strange or surprising. Jacob beguiled his brother Esau out of his birthright, then deceived his father, spent seven plus seven more, then four more years of service to Laban, for two wives, and flocks of his own. He had his favorite son taken from him through the deceit of his other sons. Buried his first love after she gave birth to his last son, Benjamin. He did not live as long as his father Isaac or his grandfather Abraham, but he had a difficult and short life. Nevertheless, our story unfolds for us when Jacob bows before Pharaoh and blesses him. Even though Pharoah was not a god to Jacob, he was the king of Egypt who allowed him and his family to come and live in the best land there. However, our story is about blessing others, even if they are not in a position of authority. Of course, we would not bow down before anyone other than God, but we do pay a certain reverence to those who govern our land. If we were to be introduced to the President of the United States we would give him honor, perhaps a bow of our head, but would we have the nerve to speak a blessing on him. Nevertheless, it would behoove us to always be about blessing others, regardless of their position in life or the church. Even a simple, “Lord bless you” would be great, but perhaps we could go further with our blessings. Too often we hear, “Have a great week”, or “Have a great day”. Let us always be about blessing them.