Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 47

Though Joseph was a great man, especially in Egypt, he still acknowledged his brothers. Let the rich and great in the world not overlook or despise their poor relations. Our Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren.

In answer to Pharaoh's inquiry, "What is your occupation?" they told him that they were shepherds. They added that they had come to sojourn in the land for a time while the famine prevailed in Canaan.

Pharaoh offered to employ them as shepherds, provided they were capable men. Whatever our business or employment may be, we should aim to excel in it and to prove ourselves skillful and industrious.

With the seriousness of old age, the piety of a true believer, and the authority of a patriarch and a prophet, Jacob entreated the Lord to bestow a blessing on Pharaoh. He acted as a man not ashamed of his religion, and who wished to express gratitude to the benefactor of himself and his family. We have here a very uncommon answer given to a very common question.

Jacob calls his life a pilgrimage: the sojourning of a stranger in a foreign country, or his journey home to his own country. He was not at home on earth; his dwelling place, his inheritance, his treasures were in heaven. He counts his life by days; even in days, life is quickly counted, and we are not sure that it will continue for even a day.

Let us therefore number our days. His days were few. Though he had now lived one hundred and thirty years, they seemed like only a few days in comparison with the days of eternity and the eternal state. They were evil; this is true for mankind. He is of few days and full of trouble; since his days are evil, it is good that they are few.

Jacob's life had been made up of evil days. Old age came sooner on him than it had on some of his forefathers. As the young man should not be proud of his strength or beauty, so the old man should not be proud of his age and his gray hairs, though others rightly respect them; for those who are considered very old do not reach the years of the patriarchs. The hoary head is only a crown of glory, when found in the way of righteousness.

Such an answer was sure to impress Pharaoh, by reminding him that worldly prosperity and happiness could not last long and was not enough to satisfy. After a life of vanity and vexation, people go down into the grave, whether from the throne or the cottage. Nothing can make us happy except the prospect of an everlasting home in heaven after our short and weary pilgrimage on earth.

With care taken for Jacob and his family—a mercy especially orchestrated by Providence through Joseph's advancement—the account now turns to how the kingdom of Egypt was saved from ruin. There was no bread, and the people were on the verge of dying. See how we depend on God's providence. All our wealth would not keep us from starving if rain were withheld for two or three years.

See how much we are at God's mercy, and let us always keep ourselves in his love. Also, see how much we suffer from our own lack of care. If all the Egyptians had stored up grain for themselves during the seven years of plenty, they would not have been in these difficult circumstances; but they disregarded the warning. Silver and gold could not feed them: they needed grain.

All that a man has he will give for his life. We cannot judge this matter by modern rules. It is clear that the Egyptians regarded Joseph as a public benefactor. The whole is consistent with Joseph's character, acting between Pharaoh and his subjects, in the fear of God. The Egyptians confessed concerning Joseph, You have saved our lives.

What multitudes will gratefully say to Jesus at the last day, "You have saved our souls from the most tremendous destruction and in the season of utmost distress!" The Egyptians parted with all their property, and even their liberty, to save their lives: can it then be too much for us to count all but loss, and part with all, at His command, and for His sake, who will both save our souls and give us an hundredfold, even here, in this present world? Surely, if saved by Christ, we will be willing to become his servants.

At last the time drew near that Israel must die. Israel, a prince with God, had power over the Angel and prevailed, yet must die. Joseph supplied him with bread so that he would not die from famine, but that did not secure him from dying from age or sickness. He died by degrees; his candle gradually burned down to the socket, so that he saw the time drawing near.

It is an advantage to see the approach of death before we feel it, so that we may be spurred to do with all our might what our hands find to do. However, death is not far from any of us. Jacob's care, as he saw the day approach, was about his burial; not its pomp, but that he would be buried in Canaan, because it was the land of promise.

It was a type of heaven, that better country, which he plainly declared he expected (Hebrews 11:14). Nothing will better help to make a deathbed easy than the certain prospect of rest in the heavenly Canaan after death. When this was done, Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head, worshipping God (as is explained), giving God thanks for all his favors, and in his feebleness thus supporting himself, expressing his willingness to leave the world. Even those who lived on Joseph's provision, and Jacob who was so dear to him, must die.

But Christ Jesus gives us the true bread, so that we may eat and live forever. To Him let us come and yield ourselves, and when we draw near to death, he who supported us through life will meet us and assure us of everlasting salvation.