Genesis:47

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* Verse 1-6 - Though Joseph was a great man , especially in Egypt , yet he owned his brethren . Let the rich and great in the world not overlook or despise poor relations . Our Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren . In answer to Pharaoh 's inquiry , What is your calling ? they told him that they were shepherds , adding that they were come to sojourn in the land for a time , while the famine prevailed in Canaan . Pharaoh offered to employ them as shepherds , provided they were active men . Whatever our business or employment is , we should aim to excel in it , and to prove ourselves clever and industrious . * Verse 7-12 - With the gravity of old age , the piety of a true believer , and the authority of a patriarch and a prophet , Jacob besought the Lord to bestow a blessing upon Pharaoh . He acted as a man not ashamed of his religion ; and who would express gratitude to the benefactor of himself and his family . We have here a very uncommon answer given to a very common question . Jacob calls his life a pilgrimage ; the sojourning of a stranger in a foreign country , or his journey home to his own country . He was not at home upon earth ; his habitation , his inheritance , his treasures were in heaven . He reckons his life by days ; even by days life is soon reckoned , and we are not sure of the continuance of it for a day . Let us therefore number our days . His days were few . Though he had now lived one hundred and thirty years , they seemed but a few days , in comparison with the days of eternity , and the eternal state . They were evil ; this is true concerning man . He is of few days and full of trouble ; since his days are evil , it is well they are few . Jacob 's life had been made up of evil days . Old age came sooner upon him than it had done upon some of his fathers . As the young man should not be proud of his strength or beauty , so the old man should not be proud of his age , and his hoary hairs , though others justly reverence them ; for those who are accounted very old , attain not to the years of the patriarchs . The hoary head is only a crown of glory , when found in the way of righteousness . Such an answer could not fail to impress the heart of Pharaoh , by reminding him that worldly prosperity and happiness could not last long , and was not enough to satisfy . After a life of vanity and vexation , man goes down into the grave , equally from the throne as the cottage . Nothing can make us happy , but the prospect of an everlasting home in heaven , after our short and weary pilgrimage on earth . * Verse 13-26 - Care being taken of Jacob and his family , which mercy was especially designed by Providence in Joseph 's advancement , an account is given of the saving the kingdom of Egypt from ruin . There was no bread , and the people were ready to die . See how we depend upon God 's providence . All our wealth would not keep us from starving , if rain were withheld for two or three years . See how much we are at God 's mercy , and let us keep ourselves always in his love . Also see how much we smart by our own want of care . If all the Egyptians had laid up corn for themselves in the seven years of plenty , they had not been in these straits ; but they regarded not the warning . Silver and gold would not feed them : they must have corn . All that a man hath will he give for his life . We cannot judge this matter by modern rules . It is plain that the Egyptians regarded Joseph as a public benefactor . The whole is consistent with Joseph 's character , acting between Pharaoh and his subjects , in the fear of God . The Egyptians confessed concerning Joseph , Thou hast saved our lives . What multitudes will gratefully say to Jesus , at the last day , Thou hast saved our souls from the most tremendous destruction , and in the season of uttermost distress ! The Egyptians parted with all their property , and even their liberty , for the saving of their lives : can it then be too much for us to count all but loss , and part with all , at His command , and for His sake , who will both save our souls , and give us an hundredfold , even here , in this present world ? Surely if saved by Christ , we shall be willing to become his servants . * Verse 27-31 - At last the time drew nigh that Israel must die . Israel , a prince with God , had power over the Angel , and prevailed , yet must die . Joseph supplied him with bread , that he might not die by famine , but that did not secure him from dying by age or sickness . He died by degrees ; his candle gradually burnt down to the socket , so that he saw the time drawing nigh . It is an advantage to see the approach of death , before we feel it , that we may be quickened to do , with all our might , what our hands find to do . However , death is not far from any of us . Jacob 's care , as he saw the day approach , was about his burial ; not the pomp of it , but he would be buried in Canaan , because it was the land of promise . It was a type of heaven , that better country , which he declared plainly he expected , Hebrews strkjv @11:14 . Nothing will better help to make a death-bed easy , than the certain prospect of rest in the heavenly Canaan after death . When this was done , Israel bowed himself upon the bed 's head , worshipping God , as it is explained , see Hebrews strkjv @11:21 ,. giving God thanks for all his favours ; in feebleness thus supporting himself , expressing his willingness to leave the world . Even those who lived on Joseph 's provision , and Jacob who was so dear to him , must die . But Christ Jesus gives us the true bread , that we may eat and live for ever . To Him let us come and yield ourselves , and when we draw near to death , he who supported us through life , will meet us and assure us of everlasting salvation . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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