Genesis 46:2-4 (ESV); And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.”
And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go
down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt,
and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”
Jacob knew that God was faithful. After years of believing his son to be dead, miraculous news had
come that, not only was Joseph alive, but he was a ruling official in Egypt! So when this revelation
coupled with the famine in the Promised Land brought Jacob and his family over to Egypt, God’s
promise of eventual return could be trusted.
God has a strong attachment to the land of Israel. He led Abraham into the land and promised it to
him and his descendants forever. The miraculous survival of the nation of Israel over the past 2000
years is strong evidence of God’s unique interest in the land, not to mention His very existence!
Even with our own eyes in the 20th and 21st centuries we have seen her survive against all odds.
God is faithful to His word. He does not speak only to be heard. His “yes” is yes and His “no” is no.
All He spoke to Jacob proved true. Israel did grow rapidly while in Egypt and Jacob was surrounded
by his sons when he died. God did not abandon His people to Egypt, and though troubled times
were ahead, His promise to be with them remained true. God never lost sight of His people or His
plan to redeem them. And as He has fulfilled His promises throughout history, we can be certain
that He continues to fulfill His promises today.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. When speaking to the men and women of the Bible, God’s first words were often a declaration
of His character – “I am God, the God of your father.” Spend some time meditating on God’s
character – who He is and why He is completely trustworthy.
2. As hostility towards Israel and the Jewish people continues to grow throughout the world, we
at Southland are committed to standing firmly beside them. Spend some time interceding for
the nation. Pray that the eyes of the Jewish people would be opened to Jesus as the Messiah.
Pray for their protection as a nation.
