seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 47:1 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” 2 He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.
3 Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”
“Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.” 4 They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”
5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, 6 and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, 8 Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”
9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.
11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. 12 Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.
Here's the link to the commentary I read.Look at verse 7. Jacob [Israel] blessed Pharaoh.
The commentary for verse 7 says:
"So Jacob blessed Pharaoh: Pharaoh acknowledged Jacob was a man of God by accepting his blessing. In the Egyptian religion, Pharaoh himself was thought to be a god. They considered Pharaoh the human embodiment of Ra, the sun god. This means that it was remarkable that he allowed Israel to bestow a blessing on him.
Have you ever said "God Bless You"? Do you think that's what Jacob said to Pharaoh?
Imagine this scenario, please. Pharaoh was sitting on his throne and Jacob was standing in front of him, hat in hand [as they say]. With him are several of his sons. They can't even grow grass in Canaan because of the famine. Jacob is asking Pharaoh to let him stay in Egypt "for a while" [Verse 4]. Pharaoh not only approved the request, but told Jacob to "pick your spot". Jacob's son, Joseph, saved Egypt, by telling them the famine was coming, and advising them to store grain. Pharaoh was showing his appreciation to Joseph's family. After Pharaoh invited Jacob and his family to stay, Jacob said "God Bless You".
Isn't that what you would say if someone pulled you out of famine and failure, and set you up in a comparatively plush green oasis?
Wouldn't you say "God Bless You!"?
The irony of it all, Jacob [Israel] blessing Pharaoh, who claimed to be the embodiment of the sun god, shouldn't go without notice.
I live in an apartment now. Occasionally the man next door will get a sneezing attack. I say "God Bless You". That man can't hear me. Is the blessing mute because the man can't hear me?
Was Jacob's blessing mute because Pharaoh was regarded as god?
Pharaoh probably smirked when Jacob "blessed" him. Pharaoh probably thought, "What a big-headed man, thinking he could bless me! I'm god".
After Jacob "blessed" Pharoah, Pharaoh asked him "How old are you?" Was this to be followed by "Don't you know I'm god? You're 130 years old and no one told you I'm god?". Probably not, it's not recorded. What a way to start a partnership.... Jacob blessed a god!
At any rate, Jacob [Israel] and the boys have a new, temporary, home in Egypt. They have also been awarded the contract to tend Pharaoh's flocks too.
Jacob [Israel] "blessed" Pharaoh.
God Bless You!
