https://esv.literalword.com/?q=genesis+46
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 23 December 2024:
Genesis 46:1-2 — So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”–
Listen to what the late Chuck Smith, Pastor of Calvary Church, has to say about Genesis 46:1-4 and what these verses have to say about how to deal with fear in life:
Genesis 46:3–4 — 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.’”
“Though stunned at first that his son Joseph was still alive after thinking him dead for many years, Jacob soon believed his sons’ report and became intent on seeing his favorite child again before his death (Gen. 45:25–28). Yet the evidence that God ordained Joseph’s rule over Egypt and, therefore, that his call for Israel to live in the land of the Nile must be heeded, was not enough to convince Jacob to leave Canaan. He needed a word from the Lord to make him move, and we read of this divine message as we return to Genesis.
That Jacob would seek direct confirmation for his move to Egypt is not surprising given his family history. After all, Canaan was to be the inheritance of Abraham’s descendants (Gen. 12:1–9), and trouble usually followed the patriarchs and their kin when they moved outside the borders of the Promised Land (vv. 10–20; 19:1–22, 30–38; 29:1–30). To leave Canaan might be a signal of unbelief, and this is why Jacob stops at Beersheba to seek Yahweh’s face. Beersheba was Isaac’s home (26:23–25), and Jacob’s sacrifice there to “the God of his father Isaac” (46:1), is proof that he aligns himself with the promises of land and offspring Yahweh made to his fathers, demonstrating that he has faith and has not forgotten the Lord’s solemn word.
God appears to Jacob and reassures him that it is His will for his family to move temporarily to Egypt. Notably, the Lord calls Jacob’s name twice, and Jacob replies “Here am I” (Gen. 46:2). This is exactly what happens when God calls and confirms His promises to Abraham, Moses, and Samuel (22:11–19; Ex. 3; 1 Sam. 3:10–14) in meetings pivotal to the advance of salvation history. Without question, then, the move to Egypt is vital to the Lord’s plan. There, Jacob’s family will grow into a great nation that God will later redeem for His glory (Gen. 46:3). Our Father graciously assures Jacob of His presence, and so the patriarch knows all will take place as God has said (v. 4).
Jacob is also told that he will one day be brought up again from Egypt. Ultimately, this looks forward to the resurrection when Jacob, in body and spirit, will be restored to life to rule over Canaan and, indeed, over the new heavens and earth (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 5:5).
Matthew Henry wrote: “Whatever low or dark valley we are called into at any time, we may be confident, if God goes down with us into it, that he will surely bring us up again. If he goes with us down to death, he will surely bring us up again to glory.” Jacob likely did not expect the Lord to call him to Egypt, and we too may find God calling us to do hard things for Him. But like Jacob, we can be confident that He is with us even when we must go where we do not want to go.” (Ligonier Ministries)
Genesis 46:6-7 — They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.
It is hard to imagine how Jacob must have felt leaving the land of the promise, all that he had been hoping to build, in hopes of merely surviving in the ungodly land of Egypt as a stranger. To most, this would be viewed as a total loss, a total failure. Yet, Jacob held nothing back and committed fully to the decision to leave. While his decisiveness was a clear recognition of the severity of his current situation, it was also based on the confidence he had that God would, indeed, fulfill His promise, though Jacob couldn’t see how in the moment. Genesis 46:27 says, “All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.” However, Exodus 12:37 says, “six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.” God was working His plan, a plan far greater than anything Jacob could imagine, but also on a path far different than anything Jacob would have chosen. To experience God’s blessings, we must trust Him and obey Him wholeheartedly and without hesitation through the associated challenges.
Genesis 46:34 – “…you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”
Again, see the seeds of future racial division being planted.
God regularly uses those who are considered unacceptable to society.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 23 December 2024: Today, focus on trusting and obeying God through your currently challenges to work in your life in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 