Then Jo'seph knew that he must make plans for introducing his family to Pha'roah. This was done by choosing five of his brothers to represent the family before the king. The number five was a favorite of the E'gyp-tians, so in choosing this number of his brothers as representatives, Jo'seph did much to win the favor of the E'gyp-tian court toward his family.
The wisdom and foresight of Jo'seph in keeping his people from mingling with the E'gyp-tians either through marriage or religious customs was then shown in a remarkable way. He told Pha'roah that his father and all his household were shepherds, and that the family had followed this calling for many generations; he also told the brothers who were to appear before the king to make it clear that this was their chosen occupation. For this reason also he selected for their home the land of Go'shen, which was well adapted to the raising of sheep and cattle, and in this way made sure that his family would be kept separate from the E'gyp-tians no matter how long they might stay in the foreign land.
The plans of Jo'seph were carried out perfectly in every way. The five brothers who represented his family appeared before Pha'roah, and were treated with great honor. They asked no favors because of the high position which their brother held in the land, nor did they show any feelings of envy because of his grandeur. They told the king that they had come as pilgrims and sojourners in the land, and that they asked no other favor than that of carrying on their life as shepherds and cattle-raisers. Pha'roah granted their wishes, and gave them permission to make their home in the land of Go'shen. To Jo'seph he said, "as to promoting your brethren, it does not appear to suit their calling or wishes. I leave it to you to make them happy in their own way. Appoint those who are best qualified to be chief of my herdsmen."
As a special honor, Jo'seph then arranged to have his father presented to the E'gyp-tian king. When the time for this meeting arrived, Pha'roah was deeply impressed by the great age and strong religious character of Ja'cob. He politely inquired about the age of his visitor, not from mere curiosity or in a trifling manner, but because he was genuinely interested in the fine old man who stood before him.
Ja'cob was greatly moved by the sight of a king who had been so kind to him, and who had come to the rescue of his family during the terrible famine. With proper respect to the king, and in a spirit of deep gratitude, Ja'cob spoke as a prophet of the LORD in giving a special blessing upon Pha'roah. He prayed to the God of Heaven for the blessings to be given to the king. Speaking most humbly of the years of sorrow and trial which he had known, Ja'cob gave thanks to the LORD for all the blessings which had come to him during the closing years of his life.
