Chapters 46:28-47:12 | Caitlyn Weeks

Bread in Goshen: A Foreshadowing of the Bread of Life

This passage begins with a phrase that could easily be overlooked but carries great significance. We read that Judah was sent ahead to lead the family into Goshen.

In this culture, the oldest brother is the most likely leader. This should have been Reuben, but here we find Judah assuming this role. This change in family leadership has been building in previous chapters and is setting the stage for something bigger. Through the family line of this unlikely leader would one day come an unlikely king, David. Moreover, through the same unlikely lineage would come our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah [1].

Once Judah leads the family to Goshen, Joseph comes down to meet his father. We see a tear-filled reunion between the two. This is a moment that I’m sure they never thought would happen. It means so much to Israel that he says that he can die now because he has found such fulfillment in seeing his son again.

Joseph had already told his family that they would dwell in Goshen, but they needed formal permission from the Pharaoh first. Joseph instructs his brothers on what to say when they meet him. They are to tell Pharoah of their family’s deep tradition as livestock keepers, with the hopes that he would give them the land of Goshen as their new home. The brothers listen to Joseph, and they find favor with Pharaoh. He tells them to settle in the best parts of the land of Goshen and even asks for some of the brothers’ men to be put in charge of his own livestock.

In this, we see how God used Joseph to save Egypt and the entire known world from famine. Now his family would not just be spared, but they would be immensely blessed through the one they mocked and sold into slavery.

Next, we see a very interesting scene. Joseph’s father, Israel (who is referred to by his former name, Jacob, in the next few verses) meets Pharaoh. The text tells us that Jacob blessed Pharaoh. In Egyptian culture, the Pharaoh wasn’t just a ruler, but he was also believed to be a god. The fact that Pharaoh receives a blessing from Jacob bears great significance. When viewed through the world's eyes, it makes no sense; the Pharaoh should be blessing Jacob instead.  

But if we view the situation through a spiritual lens, it all fits together perfectly.

We are seeing the covenant that God made with Abraham [2] lived out in these verses. God promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation in order that they would be a blessing.

As the passage concludes, the family settles in Goshen. Joseph provides his father, his brothers, and their households with bread. The families sit together and break bread because of Joseph's provision. Joseph’s bread, however, would only sustain their physical bodies for a time.

They would still be left longing for more.  

One day, through the same family, there would come The Bread of Life [3]. He would come for those whose greatest need is not another meal; He would come for those who groan, not with physical pangs of hunger, but with the ongoing emptiness found in separation from the Father.

Such a need cannot be filled by anything but Jesus, the Bread of Life. Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again.

This is the Bible.  Every word whispers the name Jesus.

By Caitlyn Weeks

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[1] Revelation 5:5

[2] Genesis 12:1-3

[3] John 6:35