The authority of God’s covenant people, surpasses that of political and religious systems

Pharaoh gives them the best of the land

The favor shown to Israel in Egypt was directly connected to Joseph’s God-given wisdom and obedience. Through Joseph, God preserved not only Egypt but the surrounding world from devastating famine [Genesis 41]. As a result, first, Egypt prospered under Joseph’s administration. Then, Pharaoh recognized that Joseph’s God was the source of this deliverance. Next, the blessing extended beyond Joseph to the entire household of Israel.

The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.” (Genesis 47:6).

Pharaoh’s offer of Goshen reveals several important truths. First, divine recompense, where God rewarded Joseph’s suffering with honor and authority. Then, provision with dignity, as Israel was not merely tolerated but strategically entrusted with royal livestock. Next, continuity of calling, their identity as shepherds was preserved, not erased. What began as a means of segregation now became a place of favor and responsibility.

 

One of the most striking moments occurs when Jacob blesses Pharaoh. In the Egyptian religion, Pharaoh was considered divine, associated with Ra, the sun god. Yet, Pharaoh humbled himself to receive a blessing from Jacob. The act acknowledged Jacob as a man of God, a bearer of true spiritual authority. Consequently, the Scripture is fulfilled that the lesser is blessed by the greater [Hebrews 7:7]. This demonstrates that God’s covenant people carry authority that surpasses political and religious systems.

 

Money failed in the land of Egypt

As the famine intensified, the people of Egypt exhausted every means of exchange. First, money failed, grain could no longer be purchased with silver. Then, livestock was exchanged, herds and flocks were traded for food. Next, land and labor followed, with nothing left, the people surrendered their land and themselves to Pharaoh. Through this process, all the land became Pharaoh’s, except that belonging to the priests. This was not exploitation but survival-driven consent, the people themselves acknowledged Joseph’s role in saving their lives.

Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land (Genesis 47:23).

Joseph established a new economic structure marked by mercy and sustainability, where the people were not displaced, given seed, ensuring productivity and dignity. Citizens, retained four-fifths (80%) of the harvest for themselves. One-fifth (20%) belonged to Pharaoh as an annual tax. In the ancient world, this was a fair arrangement, especially during a total economic collapse. The policy resulted in, national stability after famine, a centralized land system under Pharaoh’s authority, and gratitude from the people, who acknowledged that Joseph had saved their lives. This taxation system endured for generations, becoming an established law in Egypt.

 

Israel grew and multiplied exceedingly

When Israel entered Egypt, the entire covenant family numbered seventy persons [Genesis 46:27]. Yet within approximately four centuries, Israel multiplied into a nation of over two million people, who had possessions. This explosive growth was not accidental, it was divinely enabled. In the protected environment of Goshen, Israel prospered economically, socially, and numerically, fulfilling God’s repeated promise to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars. The increase demonstrates that affliction did not hinder God’s blessing, rather, Egypt became the womb in which the nation of Israel was formed.

So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly (Genesis 47:27).

At the age of 147 years, after living 17 years in Egypt, Jacob sensed that his life was nearing its end. His final concern was not comfort, wealth, or honor in Egypt, but covenant identity. He required Joseph to swear an oath that his body would not be buried in Egypt, but returned to Canaan, the land promised by God to his fathers. This was symbolic, as it affirmed Jacob’s faith in God’s promise, even though he died outside the land. Jacob, refused to identify himself with Egypt despite its prosperity. He acknowledged Israel was his final home. He testified that God’s covenant transcends death. Jacob in the tail end of his life proclaimed that, Egypt was temporal and transitional, but the promise is eternal.

George G. Ruheni, PhD.