The Best of the Best

Joseph has made himself known to his brothers and now Pharaoh knows too.  And Pharaoh gives the best of the best in honor of Joseph.  As we continue our series Joseph: A Life With Many Colors,

Genesis 45:17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ 19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'”

Cart after cart of provisions.  New clothing.   
And to Benjamin, Joseph gave “three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.”

Genesis 45:24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” 

The finally arrived in the land of Canaan to their father’s home
and shared the good news with Jacob. 

Genesis 45:26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 

Sometimes a little convincing is necessary. 
They shared the full story as a show and tell. 

Genesis 45:27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.  28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

It was no small endeavor to bring everyone as Pharaoh had commanded.

Genesis 46:26 All those who went to Egypt with Jacob– those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives– numbered sixty-six persons.  27 With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all. 28 Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, 29 Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. 30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”

Think about it:

• Why do you think Joseph told them not to quarrel along the way?
• What does quarreling do and how does it diminish the good news? Apply that to the Church.
• Does good news sometimes seem too good to be true?  What types of things cause us to doubt? What good news is thoroughly good and completely true?
• Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
• Do you find it easier to believe bad news than good news?
• On his way to Beersheba, Jacob heard from God in a vision (Genesis 46:1-4).  God promised He would be with Jacob and bring him back. 
• But Jacob would not return alive.  “Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes,” God says.  How would God’s promises that (1) Joseph would close Jacob’s eyes at death and (2) Jacob would be brought back to be buried in the family tomb form significant encouragement for Jacob?
• Why is it necessary to leave what is behind in order reach forth in faith and hope?