Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.  And Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the days of the years of your life?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.” And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh. Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers 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. And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents.

–Genesis 47:7-12

Genesis chapter 44 details for us the final phase of Joseph’s testing of his brothers in which he provided them the opportunity to abandon Benjamin. Led by Judah, they resisted, informing Joseph that to leave Benjamin in Egypt would certainly bring about the death of their father. Judah’s offer of himself in place of the boy certainly struck a chord with Joseph, showing the growth in his brothers that had occurred in the years since their betrayal of him.

Overcome with emotion, Joseph could no longer contain himself, and in chapter 45, we read about Joseph unveiling his true identity. Though his brothers were initially dismayed, he assured them that all of this had occurred within the plans and purposes of God (Gen. 45:5,7). The response of the brothers to weep with both sorrow and joy along with Joseph served as yet another demonstration of their repentance (Gen. 45:15).

The brothers then returned to Canaan and informed Jacob that his son Joseph was alive. As they began the journey to Egypt, the Lord appeared to Jacob and affirmed to him that He would be with him even outside of the borders of Canaan (Gen. 46:1-4). Upon arriving in Egypt, Jacob was reunited with Joseph who informed his family of his intent to present them before Pharaoh to ask for his favor to be upon them.

In the midst of this amazing story of God’s sovereignty, we would do well to also consider how God chose to use both Joseph and Jacob in their respective stages of life. Joseph, in the prime of his life, was faithful to the Lord and useful for His purposes in working to care for his family as well as others. Genesis 47:13-27 details how Joseph’s continued hard work and stewardship of what the Lord had given him brought him favor with Pharaoh and enabled him to provide for his family. Those who are younger, then, must learn a lesson from the life of Joseph that during that season of their life they are to faithfully serve the Lord and work to be a blessing to their families and others to the glory of God.

Jacob, in his old age, also serves as an example to us. Though he was no longer in the season of life where he could work effectively, he served and blessed others through prayer. Genesis 47:7-10 describes Jacob’s prayer for Pharaoh and chapters 48-49 detail his prayers of blessing upon his family. Though we age, the Lord does not take away from us the ability to bless and serve others. The means by which we are able to do this, however, change as we advance in years. Jacob’s faithfulness to pray for others as well as his family should serve as an example to all of those who are older and still desire to be used of the Lord.

Join us this Sunday as we come together to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!

Soli Deo Gloria.

-Thomas