In our current study of the Book of Genesis, we’ve come to the end of the seven years of famine, which struck not only Egypt but also the Land of Canaan. Whether the phrase all countries of Genesis 41:57 extends to lands further east in Mesopotamia or in the north isn’t said in the text. Nevertheless, we are told that it did affect the peoples of Egypt and the various tribes of the Land of Canaan (Genesis 47:13-14). Nevertheless, due to Joseph’s care, Israel (Jacob and his family) lived out the famine in virtual prosperity. They still had their possessions, and they grew and multiplied exceedingly (Genesis 47:27). Thus, in the context of Pharaoh being the king of Egypt, Joseph’s family never came to dependence upon Pharaoh for their living to the degree that native Egyptians did.[1] In other words, for the people of God, there is only one Lord (1Corinthians 8:6), and, if we are obedient to him, we would never be in trouble with the lord of the land, unless the lord of the land is opposed to God and persecutes the Lord’s children.
Nevertheless, if we obey God, we will automatically pay our respects to the authorities of the land (Romans 13:7; 1Peter 2:13-15), but in doing so, it is God who is our Lord, not the lord of the land. Therefore, although we submit to the authorities of the land, our doing so is never to the degree of that of unbelievers (Genesis 47:23, 25; cp. 47:27).
Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, and he died at the age of 147 (Genesis 47:28). When he first appeared in the presence of Pharaoh, he was 130 years old (Genesis 47:7-9). Some scholars believe Jacob saw his death in the future and discussed his burial with Joseph. Others believe that, like his father, Isaac (Genesis 27:1-2; cp. 27:41), Jacob only thought he was near death, and therefore discussed it with Joseph. Nevertheless, most scholars believe the final verses of Genesis 47 record the time, when Jacob was near death, as is recorded in Genesis 49:28-33, and this is the sense I believe is true.
In fact, Genesis 48:1 seems to record the very time when Jacob was about to die, which is the reason, Joseph took his sons to his father, so he could bless them (cp. Genesis 27:1-2). In Genesis 49 we have Jacob calling for all his sons, so that he could tell them what would befall them in the latter days, after which Jacob gave up the ghost and died. Genesis 50 records his burial, so I don’t see an argument that supports the idea Jacob either didn’t know the time of his death or that he simply saw it in the future sometime and wanted to make some arrangements years ahead of time.
So, Jacob called for Joseph, and he spoke with him concerning his death and burial, and he caused Joseph to swear that he would take his father, Jacob, and bury him in the Land of Canaan after he died. He wanted to be buried in the burying place, where Abraham and Isaac were buried (Genesis 47:29-30; cp. 49:29-32). Jacob’s burying place was important, only if the promise of God is true, that he gave the Land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants, to be established in due time. Therefore, Jacob’s request was an expression of faith in the promise of God. He wanted to be buried in the land that the Lord had given him. Therefore, Joseph swore he would do as his father requested, when that day came (Genesis 47:31).
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[1] We may understand Pharaoh in two different contexts. First, he can be a type of the Father, whom Jesus glorified by bringing the whole world under his supreme power. Secondly, he can be a type of world leader, whom Joseph glorified by bringing all citizens into subjection to his power, but Joseph’s family was treated more gracefully, and they weren’t brought under his power to the same degree. In other words, Jacob and his family lived under the authority of Pharaoh, but they retained a degree of independence, which the rest of Egypt didn’t have.
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