Gen 47:1 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, "My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen ."

           

This verse is remarkable in the light of the verse that goes before it: “all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.” (Gen 46:34). We're not told why that was so, but Joseph was clearly aware of it. Joseph is currently Prime Minister of Egypt helping Pharaoh avoid the ravages of the famine. Yet still Pharaoh is the most powerful man in Egypt and Joseph is subject to him. Yet Joseph is a godly man and he has an even greater duty than his duty to Pharaoh; it is his duty to his father, to honour and respect him. “Honor your father and your mother,” (Ex 20:12). Today we may be weak in respect of that fifth of the Ten Commandments, but Joseph wasn't, even though those Commandments hadn't yet come to be. Honouring father was a big issue. Thus the truth is that when his father and family come, they may be shepherds and shepherds are despised by the Egyptians, but hey, tough!

 

Sensitive question: are you embarrassed by your parents? Would you rather not acknowledge them? You are on the verge of being in serious trouble with God because He doesn't say honour them IF they match up to your present social status, or the social standing of your friends. They need your honour and respect, and you need to give it. It is an important issue in the West today and one where we often fail. Make sure you don't.