• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

Text: Genesis 46: 28-34

MEDITATION

Genesis 46:28-34

28 Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen.
29 So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.
30 And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.”
31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “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.
32 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.’
33 So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’
34 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; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

MEANINGFUL APPLICATION TO LIFE

1. The land of Goshen

a. Jacob and his family had finally arrived in the land of Goshen.

b. Judah was given the honour of announcing their arrival to Joseph.

2. The reunion between Jacob and Joseph

a. Joseph sped to Goshen on his chariot.

b. Humbly he presented himself to his father.

c. Both father and son wept with joy as they reunited.

d. Tears of both sorrow and joy were wept copiously.

i. Sorrow for all the wasted years.

ii. Joy for the reunion that had taken place.

e. Jacob’s words:

i. He can die in peace and joy.

ii. He had seen his son Joseph, alive and well.

3. Joseph’s word to his brothers

a. He will personally present his family to the Pharaoh.

b. A slight problem:

i. The brothers were mainly shepherds.

ii. The Egyptians despised shepherds generally.

iii. Sheep were considered unclean animals by the Egyptians.

c. The brothers also kept livestock.

i. This profession was more presentable to the Egyptians.

ii. They were told to emphasize the latter and not the former, should they be asked what their profession was.

经文：创世记 46：28-34

沉思

《创世记 46：28-34》
28 雅各打发犹大先去见约瑟，请派人引路往歌珊去。于是他们来到歌珊地。
29 约瑟套车往歌珊去，迎接他父亲以色列，及至见了面，就伏在父亲的颈项上哭了许久。
30 以色列对约瑟说：“我既得见你的面，知道你还在，就是死我也甘心。”
31 约瑟对他的弟兄和他父的全家说：“我要上去告诉法老，对他说：‘我的弟兄和我父的全家从前在迦南地，现今都到我这里来了。
32 他们本是牧羊的人，以养牲畜为业。他们把羊群牛群和一切所有的都带来了。’
33 等法老召你们的时候，问你们说：‘你们以何事为业？’

34 你们要说：‘你的仆人，从幼年直到如今，都以养牲畜为业，连我们的祖宗也都以此为业。’这样，你们可以住在歌珊地，因为凡牧羊的都被埃及人所厌恶。

在生活里有意义地应用

1. 歌珊地

a. 雅各和他的家人终于来到了歌珊地

b. 犹大被给予这荣信来向约瑟宣布他们的到来

2. 雅各与约瑟团圆

a. 约瑟套车往歌珊去

b. 他谦卑地来到父亲的面前

c. 父子俩以泪欢聚

d. 喜忧参半的心情使他们泪如雨下

i. 他们为所有流失的岁月而悲伤

ii. 他们为能欢聚团圆而喜乐

e. 雅各的话:

i. 他就算死也会感到平安与喜乐

ii. 他已见到儿子约瑟，知道他还好好地活着

3. 约瑟给他弟兄们的话

a. 他将亲自向法老介绍家人

b. 一个小问题：:

i. 兄弟们主要是牧羊人

ii.凡牧羊的都被埃及人所厌恶

iii. 埃及人认为羊是不干净的动物

c. 兄弟们还养牲畜为业

i. 埃及人较能够接受这专业

ii. 若被问起职业，他们要强调后者而不是前者