Reunited in Egypt: Genesis 46:28-34
God lives up to all His promises. He does not fail. He created the world; all things are within His grasp. We can trust His will.
Jacob sends Judah ahead. Judah developed into the family leader, and prior to meeting Joseph he was the clear candidate for control of the family. Judah would not only be scouting the land ahead but looking for potential threats and places of ambush. He would be negotiating safe passage through territory. He would be assuring people their nomadic presence would not turn into a long-term situation. Judah does more than ride at the head of a column; Judah makes the way safe for all.
When they arrive in Egypt, Joseph comes to Goshen. After reuniting with Joseph, Jacob announces he can die. This is not a declaration that Jacob wants to die, but rather he can accept death. His life is once more complete. He has seen his sons reunited, he knows his lineage is going to prosper, and any festering wound between Jacob and his sons is behind them. God has made all things well.
Joseph knows his family must go before Pharoah to present themselves. Joseph tells his brothers to assert they are keepers of livestock and suppress the concept of shepherding.
What did the Egyptians have against shepherds? Studies of ancient mummies, art, and ruins indicate the Egyptian diet consisted of meat, so it isn’t likely the objection came because they were vegetarians. One of the creator gods of Egypt, Khnum, was pictured as a ram-headed deity, thus sheep were not abhorrent to the Egyptians. The Egyptians revered rams especially, perhaps causing then to look down upon anyone killing a ram outside an official sacrifice to a proper god.
Most likely, Joseph’s concern for his brothers was made from cleanliness. Egyptian culture was hyper-focused on cleanliness. Male and female Egyptians often shaved their heads to prevent lice and other vermin common to desert climates. They wore clothing out of linen because it breathes well, reducing the odor from sweat. On the other hand, shepherds wore wool clothing because it is more durable and comes from the animals they have. Wool is heavy, doesn’t breathe much, and is far more difficult to keep clean than linen. Shepherds would appear and smell far less clean to an Egyptian.
Finally, the Egyptians had a long history of dealing with the Hyksos people. The name Hyksos could be translated as shepherd-kings. The Hyksos may have come from Canaan, Mesopotamia, or places east of Mesopotamia. The Hyksos were sometimes peaceful and sometimes violent, and the Egyptians learned to tolerate them when they couldn’t drive their influence out. The presence of the shepherd-kings, though, would have tainted the appearance of Joseph’s family. God – through Joseph – wants to keep His people separate from the Egyptian understanding of the Hyksos.
God continues to provide. The family is together and protected. They will survive the famine, any connection to the Hyksos, and prosper. God keeps His promises.
