[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 47
5-6 Pharaoh eagerly accepted the suggestion that Jacob and his family settle in Goshen. He also recognized that the relationship could be mutually beneficial if capable men among the Israelites were to be in charge of [his] livestock. This offered two advantages. First, Pharaoh would not have to employ Egyptians to tend his livestock, which was a positive because Egyptians detested livestock and those who cared for livestock. Second, if they were good with livestock, then Pharaoh’s flocks and herds would increase.
9 Jacob described his life as a pilgrimage. The Hebrew underlying this translation suggests a temporary living space and emphasizes Jacob’s status as a nomadic alien who did not belong anywhere he went. It is also interesting that Jacob described his years as few and hard. Certainly, he had experienced God’s blessing, but years of grief caused by the dysfunction of his family, the disappearance of Joseph, and even his own sin weighed heavily upon him.
10 Typically, it is the greater person who blesses the lesser. In this case, Jacob blessed Pharaoh. This shows the esteem that was between Jacob and Pharaoh at their first encounter. Jacob’s blessing was fulfilled in vss 13-25.[118]
11 Pharaoh Rameses II ruled Egypt in circa 1304-1236 BCE. The description of Gosehn as the land of Rameses suggests either (a) that the exodus happened closer to 1200 BCE than 1400 BCE as some scholars suggest, or (b) that the text was later edited so contemporary readers would know what Moses was talking about.[119] Pi-Ramesse, also known as the city of Rameses, is located at modern Qantir/Avaris. Excavations in the area have verified the presence of a thriving Semitic population, although nothing has decisively proven that these were descendants of Abraham. Judging by the artifacts recovered there, the culture likely practiced a mixture of Canaanite and Egyptian religions rather than worshiping God.[120]
19 Evidence affirms that the economy of Egypt during the late third millennium and early second millennium BCE moved from privately owned property to state-owned property that was tended by tenant farmers. Later, much of this property moved into the control of the temples, with private citizens having only the right to use the property that was held in trust. Again, this was not the result of an oppressive regime. In fact the 20% tax which Joseph asked was lower than typical in other parts of the ancient world.[121]
21 Although the people were now technically servants or slaves of the crown, they considered Joseph as a savior rather than their slavedriver. This indicates that Joseph and Pharaoh did not treat them like servants, but with benevolence and generosity.
30 Despite the amicable relationship with Pharaoh and the blessings he received in Egypt, Jacob had no interest in being buried as an Egyptian noble. He longed to be in the Promised Land.
29 For information about put your hand under my thigh, see note on 24:2.
29-30 Jacob’s determination to be buried in Canaan rather than Egypt reflects his belief that Canaan was the key to both his heritage and his future.[122]
[118] Sproul 2016, Genesis 47:7-10
[119] Sproul 2016, Genesis 47:11
[120] Keener and Walton 2016, Genesis 47:11
[121] Keener and Walton 2016, Genesis 47:19
[122] Keener and Walton 2016, Genesis 47:29