Genesis series: Chapter 47

 EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES

THE BIBLE: GENESIS SERIES ICON

Chapter 47 Joseph the entrepreneur. 

In this chapter, Joseph shows himself to be the entrepreneur for Pharaoh by buying all the Egyptians cattle and land. However, Joseph showed compassion because he took into account the people’s welfare and did not take advantage of them in their time of need. He also proved to be a worthy servant to Pharaoh, since he ensured that his land, money and grain were used wisely. In time of famine, Joseph maintained the agreement that Pharaoh had arranged with the priests.  When the famine was at its worst, Joseph’s forward thinking not only provided the seed for the Egyptians but their dignity (vs 24).

Near the end of the chapter, Jacob expresses his strong wish to Joseph to be buried with his ancestors rather than being buried in Egypt. It was so important to Jacob that he commands Joseph to swear that he will honour this wish. Then Jacob falls ill.

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

Are we entrepreneurs with compassion in our dealings with our resources to others in need?

How wisely to we use our resources (time, talent and wealth)?

How do we respect our priest’s ministry?

Do we desire a priest or priest-less Church by the manner we treat the clergy?

What is our experience of being committed to a person’s dying wish?

What are the advantages, disadvantages of expressing a dying wish to another person?

Chapter 47 highlights a few issues- the ability to use resources for the good of all, to have compassion for those in need, to provide for someone in need a fresh start, (eg work/dignity) to respect the wish of a dying person .