46:4 - Interesting to see that God meets people where they are. This is before the ten commandments and before there was a clear understanding by the people that there was one and only one God, so God makes it clear to Jacob/Israel that He will be coming with them into Egypt. During this time, many of God's people would still have a pantheistic (Many gods) worldview and probably believed that gods dwelled in certain areas of land. It would be important for Jacob/Israel to understand that God would not abandon him.
47:26 - When you first read through this section about Joseph selling the food it sounds kind of harsh, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If he gave the food away for free, people might try to take advantage of that kindness or want free food after the famine was over...Joseph did what he needed to do, and he centralized power and wealth for the Egyptian rulers that helped to turn into a worldwide power. They don't teach you that in school! Also, his 20% tax on the land that Pharaoh now owned, was very low in ancient times and very fair. This would still give the farmers an chance to feed their families after the famine and begin rebuilding their own wealth. Joseph was a great leader.
48:5 - What is all that blessing Joseph's kids as his own stuff that Jacob/Israel does? Well, in say that Ephraim and Manasseh are going to be treated just like Reuben and Simeon, Jacob/Israel is essentially giving Joseph as their father a double portion of the first-born's blessing. That's a pretty big deal! Jacob/Israel is making Joseph the most powerful of the sons.
48:22 - Remember that whole circumcision/slaughter everybody in town debacle? Do you remember the name of the people they destroyed? The Shechemites. That mountain slope that Jacob/Israel gives Joseph is the land of Shechem which is his to give because his sons utterly destroyed the people there.
48:17ff - God always uses the less qualified or the most unexpected choice to bring about His will. God breaks conventional customs. God uses the weak to humble the strong. Never doubt that God can use you to do incredible things for his kingdom...the less you think you are qualified, the more glory God will receive when you change the world in His name.
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