Where does the Bible mention Joseph providing for his father?
Question:
I heard a preacher say that Joseph told his father when he was reunited with him in Egypt to not worry, that he would provide for him all the days of his life. I am unable to find that scripture.
Do you know if he did say that and if so, where?
I'm working on a lesson concerning children honoring and respecting their parents and that is one point that I would like to make showing that it is the children's responsibility to take care of their parents when they are old and unable to provide for themselves. But, I want to back it up with a Scripture reference.
Answer:
The passage you are looking for is when Joseph sent for his father:
"Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph: "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine"'" (Genesis 45:9-11).
Joseph then did as he promised:
"And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father's household with bread, according to the number in their families" (Genesis 47:11-12).
He also repeated the promise to his brothers after Jacob died.
"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them" (Genesis 50:20-21).
