There are some important things to remember, Joseph served Pharaoh, and as such, he would do nothing to dishonor his king. So, when Pharaoh told Joseph to settle His family in Goshen at the mouth of the Nile River, Joseph was pleased to do so. He made his family safe and productive as the Pharaoh’s livestock husbandmen.
This was year 3 of the famine and year 10 of Joseph’s leadership. He was loved by Pharaoh and trusted by all. He was literally feeding all the known world.
In verse 11 we learn the family is settled in the District of Rameses. I was confused, but studying further, I was reminded that Moses wrote this text long after his liberation of Israel when Rameses was the ruler and enemy of Israel. Goshen became his city and where he exploited Israel. But that was long after Joseph settled them there.
God settled His people in their place to make them a great nation. It was to be a hard drive to prepare them for that responsibility. For now, they would be blessed, prosper, and enjoy the fruit of the sacrifice of those who had gone before.It is great to see Jacob blessed.
It is also amazing to know he had an additional 17 years with Joseph. Such a gift for both men. One must treasure all the time we have. We can never know when we will be called home. Until that time, like Jacob, we must make the most of every opportunity to love our own and share the Gospel with any and everyone we can.
God Bless You
Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” 2 He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.
3 Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”
“Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.” 4 They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”
5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, 6 and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed[a] Pharaoh, 8 Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”
9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” 10 Then Jacob blessed[b] Pharaoh and went out from his presence.
11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. 12 Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.
Walking With God 