Bread For The Hungry

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 ~ Genesis 47

  1. How is looking for pasture different than a government handout (v.4)?
  2. Pharaoh thought they could be a blessing to his livestock (v.6).  Could they?
  3. What kind of a blessing (v.7&10) can an old man full of resentment (v.9) give Pharaoh?
  4. Was Joseph taking advantage of the hungry or saving their lives (v.25)?
  5. Joseph fed the hungry and instituted a 20% tax rate.  Was this compassionate or exploitive?  What percentage tax do you pay?
  6. Joseph provided bread. They were provided bread from heaven in the Exodus (Ps. 78:25). Isaiah 55:2 says come to the Lord for bread. Jesus says he is the bread of life.  Do you see how this theme points to Jesus throughout the whole Bible?
  7. Now that they are in Egypt why is it important to swear by his circumcision (47:29) like Abraham did (24:2)?
  8. How did Israel gain (v.27) while the Egyptians lost (v.25)? Do you think Jacob enjoyed his last 17 years?