Genesis 46-47

In Genesis 47 the exchange between Jacob and Pharaoh is most interesting - Jacob must’ve looked old and wise because the Pharaoh of Egypt asked how old he was. Imagine meeting one of the most powerful dignitaries in the ancient world and his first line of questioning is how old you are! At 130 Jacob settled into the area of Goshen in the district of Ramses in Egypt with the promise of God that he and his family would return to Canaan one day. What I find fascinating about Jacob and Pharaoh’s encounter is that Jacob blesses him. 

 Genesis 47:10 “Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.”

This act of Jacob blessing a gentile ruler harkens back to God’s original promise to Abraham that He would bless all those who bless him and curse those who curse him and that through him (Abraham) all peoples on earth will be blessed. This is true today as confirmed with what Paul writes to the Galatian church.

Galatians 3:14 “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” 

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