Genesis 46:31
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and inform Pharaoh: 'My brothers and my father's household from the land of Canaan have come to me.
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household,

Joseph now speaks as the family’s protector and provider rather than as the brother they had wronged. God had turned the brothers’ sin into the means of preserving Jacob’s household during the famine. Reconciliation within the family is joined to God’s preservation of the covenant line through which He would fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Gen 45:9-11 Now return quickly to my father and tell him,…
Gen 45:19-21 ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your young children……
Gen 45:13 Tell my father about all my splendor in Egypt…

“I will go up and inform Pharaoh:

Joseph wisely prepares Pharaoh for his family’s arrival and acts openly within the authority entrusted to him. Though Joseph’s family entered Egypt as foreigners, Joseph’s favor with Pharaoh secured their reception and protection. His willingness to speak on their behalf reflects the responsibility God had given him to provide for those under his care.

Gen 41:14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out…
Gen 41:25-32 At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh”…
Gen 41:33-36 Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning…

‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me.

Canaan remained the land God had promised to Jacob’s descendants, yet the famine required Jacob’s family to dwell temporarily in Egypt. Their arrival began the long period in Egypt that would lead to Israel’s growth into a nation and, generations later, to the Exodus. Joseph’s provision in Egypt preserved the family through whom God would bring the promised Messiah.

Gen 47:1-2 So Joseph went and told Pharaoh: My father and my brothers……
Gen 47:5-6 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers…
Gen 45:16-18 When the news reached Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
The son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. He is a key figure in the preservation of his family during a time of famine.

2. Joseph's Brothers
The sons of Jacob who initially sold Joseph into slavery. They have now come to Egypt seeking refuge from famine.

3. Jacob's Household
The family of Jacob, also known as Israel, who have traveled from Canaan to Egypt to be with Joseph.

4. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, who has shown favor to Joseph and, by extension, to his family.

5. Canaan
The land from which Jacob's family has come, representing their past and the land promised to them by God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Providence
Joseph's rise to power and his ability to provide for his family during famine demonstrate God's sovereign plan and provision. Trust in God's timing and His ability to work through circumstances for His purposes.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness
Joseph's actions towards his brothers, despite their past betrayal, exemplify forgiveness and reconciliation. We are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Joseph remained faithful to God through trials and was used mightily for God's purposes. In our own lives, we should remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God can use our circumstances for good.

Family and Legacy
The move to Egypt was pivotal for the future of Israel. Consider the impact of our actions and decisions on future generations and the legacy of faith we leave behind.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joseph's response to his brothers' arrival in Egypt reflect his character and relationship with God?

2. In what ways can we see God's providence at work in the account of Joseph and his family? How can we apply this understanding to our own lives?

3. What lessons on forgiveness and reconciliation can we learn from Joseph's interactions with his brothers?

4. How does the move of Jacob's family to Egypt set the stage for future events in the history of Israel, and what does this teach us about God's long-term plans?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a difficult situation. How can this account encourage you to trust God in current or future challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 45:9-11
Joseph instructs his brothers to bring their father and families to Egypt, promising provision during the famine. This sets the stage for the events of Genesis 46:31.

Exodus 1:1-5
The descendants of Jacob are listed, showing the fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel a great nation, which begins with their move to Egypt.

Acts 7:14-15
Stephen recounts the history of Israel, including Joseph's invitation to his family to come to Egypt, highlighting God's providence and plan.
Duty and Filial Piety CombinedJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 46:28-34
Jacob and JosephJ. G. Gray.Genesis 46:28-34
Kindness to ParentsOne Thousand New IllustrationsGenesis 46:28-34
Not Ashamed of ParentageJ. Trapp.Genesis 46:28-34
The Meeting of the Aged Jacob and His Lost Son JosephR.A. Redford Genesis 46:28-34
The Settlement of the Children of Israel in GoshenT. H. Leale.Genesis 46:28-34
People
Aram, Ard, Areli, Arodi, Asenath, Ashbel, Asher, Becher, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Beriah, Bilhah, Canaanitish, Carmi, Dan, Dinah, Egyptians, Ehi, Elon, Enoch, Er, Eri, Ezbon, Gad, Gera, Gershon, Guni, Haggai, Haggi, Hamul, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Huppim, Hushim, Imnah, Isaac, Ishuah, Issachar, Isui, Jachin, Jacob, Jahleel, Jahzeel, Jahziel, Jamin, Jashub, Jemuel, Jezer, Jimnah, Job, Joseph, Kohath, Laban, Leah, Levi, Malchiel, Manasseh, Merari, Muppim, Naaman, Naphtali, Ohad, Onan, Pallu, Perez, Phallu, Pharaoh, Pharez, Phuvah, Potipherah, Puah, Rachel, Reuben, Rosh, Sarah, Saul, Serah, Sered, Shaul, Shelah, Shillem, Shimron, Shuni, Simeon, Tola, Zarah, Zebulun, Zephon, Zerah, Zilpah, Ziphion, Zohar
Places
Beersheba, Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, On, Paddan-aram
Topics
Brethren, Brothers, Canaan, Declare, Father's, Household, Joseph, News, Pharaoh, Speak
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 46:31-34

     5433   occupations

Library
Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
General. The writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their intrinsic merits, but by his historical position and influence. It has already been pointed out that he stands at the close of the old Græco-Roman civilisation: the last Roman poet of any repute, Claudian, and the last Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, died before him. Augustin survived him, but the other great Fathers, both in the East and in the West, had passed away before him. The sack of Rome by Alaric (410) and
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Four Shaping Centuries
'Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt: every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7, And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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