The Crow's Nest

Saturday, July 15, 2023

“Goshen”

Land O’Goshen! It is a common Southern idiom meant to exclaim surprise. Goshen is first used in the Bible as an Egyptian province. It will be used later in the series.

“And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.” (Genesis 46:1)

God spoke to Israel by visions that it was safe to go down to Egypt because God would be with him. God also promised to use Egypt to make Israel a great nation and bring him up again.

“And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.” (Gen 46:5)

For a Pharaoh to do anything for Hebrews was a great honor. It is obvious from how Pharaoh made Joseph the second in command of Egypt, that Pharaoh greatly respected him.

Israel brought everyone and everything he had to Egypt. It can sound like a lot, but to include Joseph’s children it was a group of 66 persons.

Joseph told everyone that he was going to explain to Pharaoh what the Children of Israel did for a living. They are shepherds, and the Egyptians considered a shepherd to be the lowest order in society.

Joseph takes his men, 5 at a time to meet the Pharaoh. They tell Pharaoh that they are shepherds and need pastures for their cattle.

And the Pharaoh said, “The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.” (Gen 47:6)

“And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.” (Gen 47:11)

“Deliverance”

“And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.” (Genesis 44:1)

Joseph had his steward fill the brothers sacks with as much as they could carry. Just like the first time Joseph also had their money put in the sacks. In Benjamin’s sack he had Joseph’s silver mug placed inside.

At first light the brothers left, heading towards their father. This time Joseph had the steward follow them and when he caught up to them he should accuse them of theft.

When the steward caught up to them each man searched his own bag and found the money, including the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. The brothers were distraught and tore their clothes. The steward explained that not only would they be guilty of theft, so would the stewards boss be held to blame.

The brother Judah takes the lead role in discussions with Joseph. He explains that there is no way for the brothers to explain what had just happened. But if Benjamin is held guilty and not allowed to return with to his father, Israel will die of grief.

“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.” (Gen 45:1)

Joseph wept aloud. The Egyptians heard him, the house of the Pharaoh heard him.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.” (Gen 45:3)

Imagine the brothers shock that their brother Joseph is standing before them. As a powerful Egyptian he could have them thrown in chains or worse. Confusion was rampant.

Joseph went on to relieve their guilt.

“5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

9Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:” (Gen 45:5-10)

A wonderful picture of love. Joseph does not blame them for the sin they did unto him, he was happy that it was part of God’s plan. As rough as Joseph’s, his brother’s, and his mother’s and father’s life was, God had made a path to prosperity and a future posterity.

God didn’t make their lives easy, but he made it easier than it would have been. Life is not easy, you will suffer, but God, through Jesus eases the way. By believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the Cross for YOUR sins, and inviting Jesus to take over your life your way to eternity is secure.

Joseph now brings Israel to live in the land of Goshen, a very fertile part of Egypt.

“The Party”

"And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:” (Genesis 43:11)

The sons of Israel return to Joseph bringing twice the money, Benjamin, and gifts. They sought Joseph’s acceptance and hopefully food, Simeon, and Benjamin.

When they arrived in front of Joseph, Joseph told the ruler of his house to prepare a noon time meal for his brothers. The steward of the house brought the brothers into Joseph’s house. For an Egyptian to bring Hebrews into his house was an abomination. This would have unnerved the brothers.

As often times happens the brothers guilt brings explanations. They are afraid the Egyptians will treat them harshly, to possibly include death. While standing at the door to Joseph’s house they explain to the steward about the money they found in their sacks.

The steward’s response is shocking, at least to the brothers. ” 23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

24 And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.” (Gen 43:23-24)

For the brothers this was against everything they had learned. Egyptian’s didn’t like anyone that was not Egyptian. When it came to people from Canaan, they considered them dirty and of low intelligence. The brother’s must have marveled at the change in Egypt.

When Joseph came home they gave him the present and bowed deeply to Joseph. Reminds us of Joseph’s first dream, sheaves of wheat bowing before the master.

After speaking to them about their welfare he asked about the health of their father. The told Joseph that their father was in good health and still alive.

Joseph then looked at Benjamin, his mother’s son.

Joseph asked them, “Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me?” (Gen 43:29)

Then Joseph said to Benjamin, “And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.” (Gen 43:29)

Joseph couldn’t contain his emotions and went to his room to weep. He then cleaned his face and returned to the brothers.

He sat them before him in order of Birthright. The fact they were in his house was one thing, but to sit in front of him to eat was beyond anything they had ever experienced.

He had food served for each man, but with Benjamin he gave him five times more than anyone else. The brothers and Joseph drank and were merry together.

Stay Tuned…

“The Brothers Return”

“And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” (Genesis 42:36)

Israel has had a rough time. Some of it was well deserved, but he was doing his best to reform his family. His favorite son Joseph had been killed and now his son Simeon is a prisoner in the Pharaoh’s prison. To add to the problems now the Pharaoh’s governor wants the youngest child to be brought to him. His fear was more than he could bear. If his youngest child should die, Israel will die.

If you think Israel is afraid, his sons are terrified. The food they had brought from Egypt is about to run out. They would have to return to Egypt to buy more. If they do not bring the youngest brother, Benjamin, the Pharaoh’s governor will kill them. Add to that the fact if they returned with the money they used to buy the first supplies they would be sunk. The Pharaoh’s governor would accept that they were not spies when they brought Benjamin, but he would be even more angry to think they were thieves. To them this is as dangerous as sticking your head in an alligators mouth.

The sons of Israel were also full of guilt. They all knew what had been done to Joseph, and that was the sin that was held over them. The beauty of this story is God at work.

Genesis chapter 43 tells the story. Israel is stuck between famine or violence. The past actions of his sons have weighed heavy on him. Israel was doing his best to get food and his sons back. Israel has faith that God will provide.

Israel has his sons pack up all of the money they returned with, added money to buy supplies, and assembled a gift to the governor. His hope was that this will buy food and his sons safe return. Israel sends them off to Egypt.

The next meeting with Joseph is exceptional.

Stay tuned…

“Israel Goes Down to Egypt.” Part II

“And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.” (Gen 42:6)

Joseph has gone from an insignificant teenager to be only second to Pharaoh. Joseph did not go to any school, his intelligence in economics and politics came from God. God is with him.

Joseph had the power to sell food to traders from different lands. He also had the power to refuse. Then Joseph saw his brothers, he knew them but they did not recognize him. Joseph knew this and was going to use that to his advantage.

Joseph only spoke to his brothers through an interpreter. Joseph knew them and understood their language, he just didn’t want them to know that. His brothers had bowed down to show respect to the power of Joseph. It was the tradition of the time.

After the formalities Joseph asked them why are you here? His brothers said, we are from Canaan to buy food. Joseph changes the mood.

“And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.”(Gen 42:9)

Joseph knew that they were not spies, but he needed them to fear him. And they did.

“And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.” (Gen 42:10-11)

Joseph continued to accuse them of being spies. Through Joseph’s interpreter they said,” And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.”(Gen 42:13)

Joseph understood the truth the brothers had said, but he needed them to continue to fear him. Joseph tells the brothers that they will be held in an Egyptian prison until their youngest brother is brought to Egypt.

“17And he put them all together into ward three days.

18And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

19If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

20But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.” (Gen 42:17-20)

The brothers spoke to each other, all the while thinking Joseph did not know he understood them.

“21And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

22And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” (Gen 42:21-22)

Joseph turned his back to his brothers and wept. Joseph returned to them and communed with them. Then he bound Simeon and had all of the men’s sacks filled with corn. He also had all of their money put into the sacks. Joseph had sent them to their father with the food they wanted and the money they had spent.

Stay tuned…