Read Genesis 47-48 at Bible Gateway.
I want to write about Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s sons in Gen 48, and his sons in Gen 49-50 tomorrow!
The last strong theme we have read in Genesis ended at Gen 40:23, with the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh forgetting about Joseph when he was restored to his postion. Gen 41:1, Pharaoh’s dreams, began a new strong theme, which does not end until today’s reading, at the end of Gen 47:27. It contains several weaker paragraphs (my topic ideas follow):
Gen 41:1-44:17 {s} Joseph the overseer
Gen 44:18-46:7 {s} Joseph revealed to his brothers
Gen 46:8-27 {s} Seventy persons of Israel went down to Egypt
Gen 46:28-47:27 {p} Joseph the provider
The strong theme from Gen 41:1-47:27 forms a chiastic structure, and God’s paragraph divisions revealed it:
1a) Gen 41:1-44:17 {s} Joseph the overseer;
1b) Gen 44:18-45:8, Judah’s speech to Joseph + Joseph revealed to his brothers;
1c) Gen 45:9-15, Jacob and his household to come to Egypt;
1d) Gen 45:16-28, Wagons go up to Jacob;
1e) Gen 46:1, Jacob arrives in Beersheba;
central axis) Gen 46:2-4, God’s promise to Jacob;
2e) Gen 46:5a, Jacob departs from Beersheba;
2d) Gen 46:5b-7 {s} Wagons go down to Egypt;
2c) Gen 46:8-27 {s} Seventy persons of Jacob go down to Egypt;
2b) Gen 46:28-30, Judah sent to Joseph + Joseph revealed to Israel;
2a) Gen 46:31-47:27 {p} Joseph the provider.
Joseph said to his brothers at one point in this narrative, “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here: for God sent me before you to preserve life,” Gen 45:5. God put all of this narrative together into one strong theme, so we can see the big picture: Joseph was indeed cast down in the will of God, to be brought up in the will of God, to preserve the life of Israel. The central axis out of seven chapters worth of narrative, is two verses:
Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.” So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.” Gen 46:2-4
The topic of the strong theme from Gen 41:1-47:27, is Joseph the overseer, revealed to his brothers, who live under his care.
This strong theme prophesies of Messiah’s 2nd coming, when He returns to reign as King. He reveals Himself to His brothers, and they come to live in His kingdom, blessed under His authority and care.
Now look at the strong themes of Genesis that have encompassed the history of Joseph:
Gen 36:1-37:36 {s+s+s+p} The seed of Esau/ Seir/ Edom + the seed of Jacob (Joseph and his brothers)
Gen 38:1-39:23 {s+p} Judah + Joseph departed from their brothers to live among the pagans
Gen 40:1-23 {p} Joseph in prison
Gen 41:1-47:27 {s+s+s+p} Joseph the overseer, revealed to brothers, who live under his care
These four strong themes are giving us a big picture view of the coming and ministry of Messiah: there are two seeds in the earth, the seed of the unrighteous line, and the seed of the righteous line. Please note that the seed of the righteous line is of election by grace, for the early history of Joseph’s brothers, and Judah, reveal unrighteous works condemned by Torah in the strongest terms! But God is not done working in their hearts yet. (Please note that even within the election by grace, the free will of all parties remains intact, for each person makes their own choices for good or ill according to what seems best to them, and yet God is so great that all of their choices made freely of their own will, work together within the greater framework of His plan for good!)
The prophetic type for Messiah comes first as a slave, living an upright life without sin, and yet sin is charged to his account, and he suffers a prophetic type for death, when he is cast into the prison. Thus he is hidden away for some time. The prophetic type for Messiah then comes second as an overseer and ruler of all, who reveals himself to his brothers, and to a transformed Judah who is no longer envious or jealous of favor shown to his younger brother. So,the righteous line lives under the blessing and authority of Messiah’s kingdom. Amen and amen!
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