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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 46:28 - 46:34
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The Meeting of Jacob and Joseph
v. 28. And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph to direct his face unto Goshen. It was a distinction which was here conferred upon Judah on account of his recent heroic stand; he was to receive authoritative directions from Joseph concerning the exact place set aside for the settlement of the Israelites, and then act as the guide of the caravan. And they came in to the land of Goshen, in the northeastern part of Egypt, in the eastern delta of the Nile.
v. 29. And Joseph made ready his chariot, he had the horses hitched to his own fine wagon, and went up to meet Israel, his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him, appeared before him in all his royal glory; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while, weeping in his embrace, his emotion over this happy reunion almost overwhelming him.
v. 30. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. Having experienced this last great token of the divine favor, Jacob was now ready and willing to die.
v. 31. And Joseph said unto his brethren and unto his father's house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
v. 32. and the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle, they had been herders of sheep and cattlemen all their life; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. This was a sort of frankness which did not consider the lowly derivation a disgrace, unlike the behavior of many children in our days who are ashamed of the lowly station of their parents and relatives.
v. 33. And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, order them to appear at the royal court, and shall say, What is your occupation?
v. 34. that ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, being cattle-men was the traditional occupation of the family, both we and also our fathers; that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen, that Pharaoh might confirm the order of Joseph permitting them to make that their home; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Since they themselves considered agriculture the basis of national stability, the Egyptians regarded all nomadic forms of living as a barbarian form of existence. There was a good deal of shrewdness in the attitude of Joseph, for he knew that his relatives, under cover of the Egyptians' contempt, would remain secluded and unmixed, would keep their ancient religion and customs, and thus be worthy of being the bearers of the Messianic promise. Incidentally, they would be occupying a very rich section of the land of Egypt. It is far better to be in a lowly station and remain faithful to the Lord than to occupy a position of prominence and deny His goodness and mercy.