Bible Study Lesson — Genesis 47:1-12
Continuing the story of Joseph, Jacob and his family move into the land of Goshen and settle in Egypt.
This Bible tutorial is about how faith and obedience to God can control the outcome of the future.
The big move to Egypt: Jacob settles Egypt taking his family to the land of Goshen – the Rameses section.
The study lesson from Genesis shows how obedience to God can have future effects.
Israel (Jacob) Settles the Land of Goshen
Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many years have you lived?”
So Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.”
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence.
So 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 ordered.
Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to their little ones. – Genesis 47:7-12 NASB
Why Negotiate for Goshen?
Jacob and his family wanted to live apart from the Egyptians so Joseph suggested that they let Pharaoh know that they were shepherds.
Egypt was not totally against this occupation but neither were they enthusiastic about having them in Egypt. So, this helped insure the separate state of the Israelites in the land of Goshen.
Faith and Obedience
The outcome of this Genesis story began unfolding with Joseph.
The future must have looked bleak to Joseph while he was imprisoned in Egypt but he remained faithful to God.
And, God took care of him because of his obedience.
Cause and Effect
Actions – these are things we do in the present. But, many times we don’t realize at the time how they will affect the future, not only in our lives but in the lives of other people.
I don’t believe Joseph thought of his prison term as a means to bring his father Jacob to Goshen but the results speak for themselves.
Our Choice – Our Faith
If we are faithful to God, He will give rewards.
We may not see them right away (or ever in this lifetime) but the results could transform into a world-changing moment – just as it did for Joseph.
What action can we take today to show our obedience to God’s will in our lives?
The future is waiting.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please go now and read this short Bible verse to learn more.