We are moving into chapter 47 of Genesis with our word for today. מְעַט little, trifle, few, short, too little, small. It is used 101 times in the Old Testament. It is used in the sense of a small amount or duration. Genesis 30:30 The מְעַט֩ little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. Exodus 23:30 מְעַ֥ט Little by מְעַ֥ט little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. Psalm 37:10 A מְ֭עַט little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
We also see it used to refer to something that is of small importance or not important. Genesis 30:15 But she said to her, “Is it a הַמְעַט֙ small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?” Numbers 16:8-10 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: is it הַמְעַ֣טtoo small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? 2 Samuel 12:7-9 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were מְעָ֔ט too little, I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? Job 10:20 Are not my days מְּעָֽט few? Then cease, and leave me alone, that I may find a little cheer.
This is the same way our word is used in our chapter today. Genesis 47:7-9 Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the days of the years of your life?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. מְעַ֣ט Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.” It is interesting how even during this time of gladness in that Jacob is now restored to his son that he thought had died long ago. That he still can feel the bitterness of all those years of grief. This is an important reality for us to be reminded of that in this life we will not completely be healed. Even when we trust God with our painful negative feelings and he brings us gladness we still have the pain of the loss or challenge. This is part of living in this fallen, broken, corrupted place. The good news is that we have God’s promise of bringing us into the without corruption place where we can be completely healed of all the challenges we face here. Paul talked about this when writing to the Philippian Christians. Philippians 1:21-24 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. I’ll close with this amazing reality of the without corruption place that Jesus is preparing for us. Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
