Occupation Preparation

Occupation Preparation

Genesis 47: Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, their flocks and their herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in the land of Goshen.” ² And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. ³ 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.” ⁴ 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.”

 

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After the wonderful reunion with his father, Joseph presented five of his brothers to Pharaoh. Just as Joseph warned, Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation/” They replied “Your servants are shepherds.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph prepared his brothers to accept the lowest occupation in Egypt that was seen as beneath the Egyptians status.
• Pharaoh may have thought he was getting another blessing by having willing workers join his team.
• No one knew that GOD was orchestrating extreme blessing on the people of Israel.

 

Goshen was the best land for herds and flocks. It was probably spacious, flat and provided water for animals to thrive. But the Egyptians did not want to tend to animals and loathed anyone who did. So Goshen was a great place for shepherds and herdsmen.

 

GOD used the Egyptians superstitions and narrowminded thinking to bless Israel. Eventually HE would bless this area so much that it would almost burst at the seams. This occupation would prove to be exactly what GOD wanted them to do in order to provide blessings beyond imaginations.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s meeting with Pharaoh?
• Have you ever viewed your occupation as “less than” something you wanted to be?
• Can you praise GOD for the occupation GOD has you in because HE is preparing you for a major blessing?