Knowing The Word in Genesis 46:28-34, Jacob and Joseph Reunited

[Scene 3]

28 He [Jacob] had sent Judah [who continues to taking a leading part in the reunion] ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. 29 Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while [as he did with Benjamin]. 30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” [The purpose of his journey is fulfilled, and now he can die in peace.] 31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. 32 And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ 33 When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” [Heavy emphasis is placed on them being shepherds and herdsmen. Having brought their livestock with them, they will not need to live off of the state but should be self-sufficient. Egyptian literature does not disclose a dislike of shepherds, though rarely do they appear in Egyptian paintings. In the biblical theology of shepherds, this is a critical story that establishes and associates shepherding with Israel, continues with David, expands to the whole nation with Ezekiel in chapter 34, and finds its fulfilment in Jesus as the Good Shepherd.]