It strikes me that this passage is dominated by Joseph assuming the role of ‘father’: to his birth family, to the nation of Egypt and to his own father. He exercised his ‘fatherhood’ out of sonship – literally to his birth father, symbolically to Pharaoh and in practice to his brothers. We are called to be ‘fathers’ or ‘mothers’ to those we lead or influence. But we exercise this effectively only when we are rooted in our relationship to the Father as sons and daughters. Joseph must have processed a great deal of his emotional response to the things that have happened to him exercising trust, forgiveness and seeking the favour and blessing of God.

He makes provision for his family in Goshen – a place of security from the Egyptians because Goshen was a place ideally suited for pasturing sheep and cattle and shepherds was an occupation apparently looked down upon by the Egyptians. They would be safe and in the best place for flourishing. It also perhaps reminds them and us of the beginning of the story – grazing their flocks and plotting to rid themselves of their brother. Now the tables are well and truly turned.

Jacob blesses Pharaoh (twice!). In this we see echoes of that original Abrahamic covenant being fulfilled – his descendants would be many and the nations would be blessed through him. Blessing has reached the nation of Egypt.

Having acted in the best interests of his family, Joseph then turns his attention to the needs of Pharaoh and the nation.  Step by step the Egyptians (and his own family) become more and more dependent on the wellbeing of Pharaoh and the nation. They are effectively nationalised into slavery. But then, of course, they could have done for themselves what Joseph did for them. They could have stored up their grain out of the years of plenty, they could have saved for the ‘rainy (or dry!) day’. But they spent out of their plenty and had no plans for hardship.

Joseph’s actions may seem harsh, and they led to years of suffering and oppression for his own people, but at the time his actions saved lives and they get to keep 80% of what they earn – which in other places, in our own times would be generous as we witness how so often leaders exploit their peoples and take advantage of hardship. Not just in other countries but in ours too by those who exploit debt through exorbitant lending rates.

And so, finally, Joseph honours his father with a promise that will be fulfilled in the future.

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In what ways can you influence or lead those around you for good, acting justly and loving mercy?