Conversation Between a Shepherd and the Pharaoh

     When Joseph brought his family into Egypt, he brought his brothers and father before the Pharaoh.  As I'm reading Genesis chapter forty-seven, I'm attempting to imagine the shepherds standing before the Pharaoh.  In verse seven, Joseph brings in his father, Jacob, and Jacob sits before the Pharaoh.  Then, Jacob blesses Pharaoh.  I'm thinking, 'How did he get away with blessing the Pharaoh?  Is it because Pharaoh believed in the God of Jacob?
      I believe Pharaoh believed.  In chapter forty-one, Joseph had interpreted the Pharaoh's dreams and suggested that Pharaoh appoint 'a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.' (33)  Pharaoh responded by saying to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" (38)  The rest is recorded in following verses and chapters.  Joseph was appointed to rule over Egypt.  Then, around ten years later, Joseph brings his father, brothers, and their families into Egypt to live in Goshen.  Yes, the scripture records Jacob sitting with Pharaoh.  Here is a shepherd blessing Pharaoh which is unusual, because 'a shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.' (Gen. 46:34)  
     So, Jacob is set before Pharaoh and blesses him.  Then, the Pharaoh asks Jacob his age. 
     "Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.” And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence."
     This seems like a short conversation.  I wonder how awkward it felt for the ruler of Egypt. Maybe, they shared information about their wives and grandchildren.  Pharaoh sits with a shepherd and is blessed by a shepherd.  Yes, this was not any shepherd.  This was the father of the man who Pharaoh placed to rule over his country.  A man in whom the Holy Spirit of God lives.  A man who kept his faith while in prison and continues to keep his faith as he brings his family into Goshen.  Joseph knew all this happened as God planned.  A conversation between a shepherd and the Pharaoh. 

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