As you read through the story of Joseph bringing his family to Egypt, one thing is rather puzzling…
In Genesis chapter 45, when Joseph tells his brothers to bring their families to Egypt, he tells them they will live in the land of Goshen: “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph…You shall dwell in the land of Goshen…” (Genesis 45:9a, 10 NKJV)
In chapter 46 of Genesis, however, when Jacob arrives in Egypt, Joseph states he has to “go up to Pharaoh” and ask if they can live in Goshen. In fact, he has to give them a reason why Pharaoh would want them to live in Goshen: “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen…” (Genesis 46:31-34 NKJV).
Why would Joseph ask Pharaoh, if he had already promised his family the land of Goshen? Had he gone out on a limb for his family? Had he promised them the best land without consulting with Pharaoh?
The Bible simply doesn’t tell us the answer. This explanation does make sense, however. Joseph worked closely with Pharaoh. He knew how Pharaoh thought. He knew that once Pharaoh knew Joseph’s family had come to Egypt and that they were Shepherds, Pharaoh would want them to settle in Goshen.
We also know that Joseph was the 2nd in command of all of Egypt. It is very likely that he didn’t actually even need Pharaoh’s permission to make such a promise, and this is why he told his brothers they would settle in Goshen before having even run the idea by Pharaoh!
But whatever the reason, once his family was safely in Egypt, Joseph did Pharaoh the courtesy of asking: “Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” (Genesis 47:4b NKJV).
I believe there is a powerful lesson to be learned from this story. We are children of the Most High God, and as His children, His heirs, we have certain privileges. To name a few, we are no longer slaves: “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:7 NKJV). We have abundant life: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV); and we have all authority: ““All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV).
Despite these privileges, God tells us to … ask: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NKJV)
Why?
I’m pretty sure I don’t have a full understanding of why we need to ask; but when I look at the story of Joseph and the Land of Goshen, I begin to understand something: Joseph asked Pharaoh because he realized something very important: The Land of Goshen wasn’t his to give away. It belonged to Pharaoh. And additionally, his family didn’t deserve to be in the best part of Egypt! They weren’t even Egyptian.
It is the same with all the benefits that come from being a child of God. God’s gifts and His blessings are not ours. They belong to God, and He gives them to whom He desires to bless. In addition to this, we don’t even deserve them. We are sinful people. Covered by the blood of Jesus, yes; yet even that is a gift, one that we don’t deserve! We are not entitled to any blessing from God! When we ask God for what we have been promised as heirs to the Kingdom of God, we are showing respect and honour to God. We are, with our action, saying, “God, I know that every good thing comes from You and is simply on loan to me. I want to acknowledge that everything is a gift from You, a gift that I didn’t earn and I don’t deserve. I want to show my respect and honour Your name by acknowledging that I don’t deserve anything that You bless me with. Therefore I ask.”
It is amazing how just this simple acknowledgement, the simple act of asking, can change our perspective from one of prideful entitlement to one of humble gratitude. I urge us all to not simply take for granted that God will bless us. Rather, approach the throne of grace with humble gratitude and … ask!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Teacher Joseph” mini-series, click here!)
