Genesis 46:28-29 tells us that Joseph welcomed his father Jacob and his family to Goshen where Jacob’s family could live near to Joseph (Gen 45:10) and where God would provide for them. Joseph had no animosity or bitterness towards his own brethren, instead it was a happy reunion.

Joseph told his brethren that he would inform Pharaoh that they were shepherds, and that they were to also honestly answer thus when Pharaoh asked them even though shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians (Gen 46:31-34). They were to speak the truth and trust God which they did later when they met Pharaoh (Gen 47:3). Just as Pharaoh had promised in Genesis 45:18 (“… I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land”), Pharaoh granted them permission to live in Goshen (Gen 47:6).

The fact that shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians kept Jacob and his family separated from the Egyptians. God’s higher purpose was that Israel was to keep their identity, and not to assimilate into the Egyptian culture, as God grew them as His people in Goshen for the following 400 years.

This is different for the New Testament Church. Today, God wants us to be in the world, although we are not of the world. Wherever we are, we are to carry our identity as Christians, and to bear the name of Christ as sons and daughters of God. As a child of God, have you lost your identity? Will you tell the truth in a job interview even though the truth may result in you not getting the job? Will you tell the truth even if you may lose some privileges in life? We must not be ashamed of the name of Christ. We are to speak the truth, and the Lord can turn it into a blessing for us, just as God blessed Jacob and his family “with bread” (Gen 47:12) through Joseph.

Through the trials of their lives, we see how God led Jacob and his family, and provided for them. Though Jacob had been unfaithful, God is always faithful. God kept Israel’s identity even though they were in a foreign land for 400 years. Today we too must trust in God to lead us and to provide for our needs. May God keep us away from greed and covetousness. The more we want, the more we will lose. God may have to take away our material security in order that we will turn to trust in Him. As parents, how do you bring up your children? Do you provide for your children an earthly inheritance instead of a life of godliness, prayerfulness, and faith in Christ? Live a godly life, and see what a transformation God can bring to your family. He will lead and provide accordingly.