Acts 7:9-19

Life In Egypt

Abraham's great-grandson, Joseph, was sold into Egypt because of the jealousy of his own brothers. Coffman sees this incident as prefiguring the rejection of God's intended deliverer on the cross of Calvary. But God, in his providence, noted Joseph's mistreatment and delivered him. He went on to make him governor over the land of Egypt. A great famine left Jacob and his household without food to sustain them. So, having heard of the plentiful food in Egypt, he sent his sons to purchase grain on two separate occasions. On the second, Joseph revealed his identity to his brethren and let Pharaoh know who they were.

Joseph, with the approval of Pharaoh, sent wagons to bring his aged father to Egypt. Seventy-five souls left Canaan for the land of Egypt. Jacob's body was carried back to Shechem to be laid in the cave of Machpelah alongside those of Abraham and Sarah. God had not forgotten his promise to Abraham and as days passed, the children of Israel multiplied from the original seventy-five until they appeared to be a menace to the Egyptians. Additionally, a king ascended to the throne who did not recall the salvation of Egypt by the hand of Joseph. The king mistreated them by placing them in bondage and slaying their babies (Acts 7:9-19).