In Genesis 47 Joseph brings some of his brothers to meet Pharaoh. They offer themselves as servants to Pharaoh and explain that they are in Egypt because of the famine. Pharaoh offers them the best land in Egypt. He sees that they are shepherds and asks Joseph to put the most capable of his brothers in charge of his own livestock.

Joseph brings his father Jacob to Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Jacob and Joseph’s brothers settle in Egypt. Joseph provides his family with food.

The famine continues. Under Joseph’s oversight, the people of Egypt pay for grain with all of their money, livestock and land. The people become Pharaoh’s slaves. The only land Pharaoh did not buy was the land of the priests because Pharaoh pays them an allowance. Joseph gives the people seed and takes from them one fifth of their harvest each year.

Israel is getting old and knows he is close to death. He makes Joseph promise to take him to the burial place of his ancestors when he dies and not to bury him in Egypt. Joseph promises.

In Genesis 48 Israel is ill. Joseph brings his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim to this father. Israel tells Joseph of the covenant God made with him. He takes Joseph’s sons as his own. Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons. Israel tells Joseph of how grateful he is to God for allowing him to see Joseph again. Israel extends to Joseph’s sons the blessing of his offspring, but gives the greater blessing to Ephraim, the younger son. Joseph tries to correct Israel but Israel insists.

Matthew 17 opens about a week after the disciples pronounced that Jesus is the Messiah. He takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain. There he is transfigured, glowing like the sun and dressed in dazzling white. The disciples see Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. Peter wants to make three booths for Jesus, Elijah and Moses in order to worship them. A cloud covers them and they hear a voice say, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased, listen to him. The disciples fall to the ground. Jesus touches each of them and tells them not to be afraid. When they look up they only see Jesus. As they come down the mountain Jesus orders them not to tell anyone what they have seen.

Jesus meets an epileptic who the disciples cannot cure. Jesus cures him. The disciples ask why they were unable to help him and Jesus says it is because of their lack of faith.

Jesus explains what is going to happen to him: his betrayal, death and resurrection. The disciples are distressed by what he says.

Later the collectors of the temple tax ask if Jesus has paid it. Peter says he has. Jesus confronts Peter by telling him that he does not own the tax since he is God’s Son (not in those words). But to appease them he has Peter catch a fish and says there will be a coin in its mouth with which he can pay the tax.

We are still dealing with issues of faith and doubt. Joseph shows great faith in his life and because of that he is blessed. Jacob continues to stretch the boundaries even when he is close to death, but God’s blessing is still upon them. The disciples do not have enough faith to carry out their duties and still worry about the future, and yet Jesus still cares for them. God’s love for us is steadfast, whether we have faith or doubt, whether we trust or don’t. God still provides.