Genesis 46

 Ch 46

(1) Before Jacob went to Egypt God encountered him one more time in Beer Sheba 46:1. Jacob left Beer Sheba  (28:10) when he saw the ladder to heaven when he escaped from home. Again God spoke to him in a vision during the night 46:2.  In the first encounter, God told him that he would inherit the covenant of Abraham.  Now, God reconfirmed that, but why God needed to assure Jacob that he did not need to be afraid? 

46:3 He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

When God cut the covenant with Abraham God also foretold to him about the future of his descendants.

15:13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign country. They will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. 15:14 But I will execute judgment on the nation that they will serve. Afterward they will come out with many possessions.

When Jacob left Canaan he probably hesitated and thought about that prophecy. 

God also reassured that he would bring them back just as what He promised to Abraham

46:4 I will go down with you to Egypt and I myself will certainly bring you back from there. Joseph will close your eyes.”

I dont know how much attention Israelites had towards that promise when they lived in Egypt and later on became the slaves there. God would be with them even He knew that they would be enslaved and oppressed there. It was all under His control. 

Reflection: If God promises that He will be with you, but what you are going to do will be a long term suffering to you and your family will you do that? Jacob had tremendous faith in God when he went down to Egypt. The presence of God is enough for him no matter what he needed to face. Is the presence of God enough to you to face Covid 19? Or other challenge in your life?

(2) When Joseph welcomed Jacob he prepared his father to meet Pharaoh. 

46:34 Tell him, ‘Your servants have taken care of cattle from our youth until now, both we and our fathers,’ so that you may live in the land of Goshen, for everyone who takes care of sheep is disgusting to the Egyptians.”

(NET) So that you may live in the land of Goshen. Joseph is apparently trying to stress to Pharaoh that his family is self-sufficient, that they will not be a drain on the economy of Egypt. But they will need land for their animals and so Goshen, located on the edge of Egypt, would be a suitable place for them to live. The settled Egyptians were uneasy with nomadic people, but if Jacob and his family settled in Goshen they would represent no threat.

Audrey

2026

1. Repeated theme v.1-7 

"v.1Israel taking with him all he had... v.7b...all his descendants."

"v.3bDo not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will... v.4 I will... v.4bI myself will certainly..."

Summary: When moving his whole family and all he had, Israel were afraid. When he afraid he offered sacrifices to God and sought after Him. God responded with 3 promises:

1)  He will make Israel a great nation there. In the midst of a giant power, the nation Israel will grow from 70 people to a great nation. 

2) God will be with Him. That was His promise since ch 28. He will protect him. Since the time of Bethel, God had protected Israel, including the time in Laban's home, and now during the time of famine. He was faithful and kept His Words.

3) He will bring Israel back to the Promise Land.

Reflection: God knew when we are afraid. If we seek Him He will comfort us with His Words. He cares about His people. His promises will come true as what He has done in the past. 

2.  Questions:

1) v.1-7

2) Joseph was a teenage boy and now after 22 years of separation he was in his late 30's to 40's. Jacob became much older. 

3) He helped them to settle in the outer part of Egypt

4)??