Genesis 47:5,6

In the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell

The best gifts of God bestowed on His people

1.

In the first place, GOD GIVETH THE BEST UNTO HIS TRUE ISRAEL. He gives them a land of rest, He gives them a land of safety, He gives them a land of abundance, and He giveth them the best things in that land. He not only pardons them, but His pardon is a costly pardon. He not only gives them righteousness, but He gives them a glorious righteousness. Does He supply their wants? It is all fulness He gives them; even for the supply of the little ones, as you observe in the twenty-fourth verse: “And it shall come to pass, in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh; and four parts shall be your own, for the seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones,” unfolding this great truth--that the supply which is in Christ, is not only for the least, but for the least wants of the least; that there is nothing minute in God’s sight. He has provided for helplessness of body, for nervousness of spirit, for a distracted mind, for strong inward temptations, for outward trials, for domestic afflictions, for everything that concerns us in that straight way, the straightness of which at times no one can enter into but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

II. But now observe, secondly, WHY IT IS GOD DOES THIS.

1. Wherever God acteth, He acted as God--greatly; what He doeth, He doeth as God, worthy God. You and I act below ourselves; God never can act below Himself. The great God in His forgiveness is great; in His righteousness He is great; in the abundant supplies of His grace He is great; in the freeness of His salvation He is great; in the sympathies of His love He is great; and that because He is God (see Isaiah 55:7; Hosea 11:8).

2. But there is another reason; that is, the love which He bears towards His Israel. Who can describe what that love is?

3. But there is another reason, and I think, if I were to lose sight of that, I should lose sight of the Gospel itself; every blessing that the Israel of God enjoy, they enjoy for the true Joseph’s sake. It is not for their sakes, but it is for Christ’s sake.

III. THE PRACTICAL REARING OF THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

1. Great cause for deep thankfulness.

2. Then there is in the subject that which should lead to great stirring up of desire. We should desire that we may enter into the best of the land.

3. I am sure we have great cause for deep abasement as we think of the subject. God has given us the best; what have we given Him? (J. H.Evans, M. A.)