It would have been so easy. Joseph could have just left his father in Canaan. After all life had not been good for Joseph at home. Maybe Jacob would struggle to make the long journey. Perhaps the aging man would not adjust well to new surroundings in Egypt. Would the two be able to resume their relationship after these many years? Who knew if he could accept Joseph in his prominent position? The questions were endless and the excuses could have been just as endless.
Joseph seems not to have considered any excuse. This powerful man wanted to honor his father. It was an opportunity which had eluded him for two decades. This would be his shining moment. The days were few before Jacob would depart this world but until he did Joseph would honor him.
The excuses could have been plentiful about presenting Jacob to Pharaoh as well but Joseph arranged a formal audience with the world’s most powerful man. The Egyptians abhorred shepherds (46: 34) but Joseph insisted that his father and brothers inform Pharaoh of their vocation. Even when Jacob reverted to his morbid whining (47: 9) there is no evidence Joseph showed the least amount of embarrassment. Joseph was proud of his poppa!
Why was Joseph so proud? Well obviously he knew he was loved and accepted by his father but there is more. Jacob had been an exile for twenty years just as his son. During those two decades removed from home both men had been blessed beyond belief by God. No doubt Joseph fed on Jacob’s stories of God’s leadership and blessing during his hidden and hurting years. He no doubt owed to Jacob the most important lessons of life. True, Joseph learned those lessons quicker and better than Jacob but would he have if Jacob had not mentored him?
There was another reason Joseph honored his father. It was simply the right thing to do. The first of the Ten Commandments dealing with human relationships demands we honor our parents. That’s not just kid stuff. God expects us to honor them regardless of our age or theirs.