01.20.2016 Old Testament: Gen 47.2–4

To read the Bible in a year, read Genesis 46–48 on January 20, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

Esther concealed her Jewish identity until the time called for her to reveal it, but sometimes we have to reveal from the first who we are, as five of Joseph’s brothers did before Pharaoh,

And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers.” And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen” (Genesis 47.2–4). 

Although Egyptians considered shepherds an abomination, they still had to reveal their employment, and for their honesty, Pharaoh placed them in the best land of Egypt.