Read: Genesis 46
Israel
(Jacob) packed up everything that he had and began his journey to Egypt. Along the way he stopped at Beersheba and
offered a sacrifice to the Lord. It was
there where God spoke to him and told him to not be afraid to go down to
Egypt. Many years before there had been
a famine in Canaan and Abram had gone to Egypt to survive, without inquiring of
the Lord. Later, there was another
famine and Isaac considered going to Egypt but God forbid him to go. Now God promised to go with Israel to Egypt
and make him into a great nation. He
also assured him that his people would eventually return to the Promised Land
(v. 2-4). God was reiterating the covenant that He made with Abraham. Finally, God promised Israel that he would
see Joseph before he died. He would
actually live almost forty years longer!
This would have brought great comfort to him. Jacob took with him everything that he
possessed, as well as all the members of his family. The register of Jacob’s
family is included in this passage showing the family organization and lists of
numbers (v. 8-27). The intent of
including this in Scripture is to name those who would become tribes and family
heads in the nation of Israel.
The chapter
concludes with a happy reunion between Israel and Joseph. Judah was sent ahead to point the way to
Goshen where the family would reunite.
Joseph would be there and would see his father for the first time in
nearly 22 years! They embraced, they
cried and wept and now Israel was ready to die in peace (v. 29-30). As a good leader, Joseph was not careless
about settling his family in Goshen. He was
careful to see that they were treated well by the Egyptians, even though the
Egyptians found shepherds to be an abomination (v. 34). He instructed his brothers on what to say to
Pharaoh in order to ensure they would be given the land of Goshen.
Prayer and Journaling
1. As
Jacob and his family were about to leave the Promised Land for Egypt, God
reaffirmed his covenant promises and promised to go to Egypt with them and also
promised to bring them back again. The
time Jacob’s descendants would spend in Egypt was first prophesied back in
Genesis 15:13 and would be part of how God establishes them as a nation, His
chosen nation. Sometimes we don’t
understand why God is doing what He is doing.
This is because we often can’t see the big picture. God has a pretty giant big picture because He
is a pretty big God. Thank God for the
control that He has over your life.
Thank Him for knowing what He is doing when it comes to you and your
family. Tell Him that you desire to
trust Him more and ask Him to show you areas where you can grow in trusting
Him.
2. Giving
the family of Joseph the land of Goshen served a couple purposes. First, it
would keep them from fighting with the Egyptians, who hated Hebrews. Second, it would provide best for their
livelihood since they were shepherds.
Third, it was near to where Joseph lived so he could see his family
regularly. Fourth, it would keep the
Hebrews from falling into the idol worship and pagan customs of the Egyptians. Joseph was strong enough to live among the
Egyptian culture and stay walking with God but what would come of the future
nation of Israel if they integrated into Egyptian life? Thank God for the church, a place where
God’s people can come and be protected from the culture of our world. Thank Him for cell, where people come to
learn how to grow in relationship with Him.
Ask Him to show you 3-5 other provisions in your life that you can thank
Him for today.
