1. Seems like Joseph didn't spend much time, if any, with his father and his brothers. In 48:8 he doesn't know who Joseph's children are? Possibly Joseph has become more Egyptian than Israelite. When he dies at the end of ch. 50 he isn't returned to Canaan like his forefathers...he is buried in Egypt.
2. This famine that Joseph led Egypt through must have been really bad. As a result of the famine, and Joseph's wisdom and leadership, Pharaoh ends up with more power than he had before. It's an odd thought but I can't help but wonder if Joseph's leadership through this time didn't play a contributing role in the Israelites slavery in Egypt.
3. I also noticed the Messianic prophecy in Israel's blessing of Judah in 49:10 when he said:
4. It also struck me that Joseph's brothers were STILL afraid that Joseph may have some ill will toward them. I guess they thought that now that their father was dead he may finally try to repay them for what they had done to him. It almost seems like the fact that Joseph never does sort of drives them crazy."The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his."
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