Genesis 46:1-34 Jacob’s Journey to Egypt
“So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said.
“Here I am,” replied Jacob.
“I am God, ” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”
Then Jacob departed from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives. They also took their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt.
Those Who Went to Egypt (Exodus 1:1-7)
Jacob took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring…All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons. And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.
Jacob Arrives in Egypt
Now Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen, Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me. The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’
When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
When Jacob left his parents, fleeing from Esau, he traveled alone without even a donkey. Now Jacob has arrived in Egypt with a family of seventy people. Even though Jacob/Israel has not been the greatest father, God still blesses him by speaking to him and assuring him that God is going to make his family into a great nation, that Joseph will close his eyes when he dies, and that his descendants will eventually return to Canaan.
When Jacob and his family arrive in Egypt, Joseph gives them a royal welcome and advises them to inform Pharaoh that they are shepherds and herdsmen. Although the Egyptians certainly eat meat, they disdain those who care for livestock. Joseph’s canny advice ensures that his family will locate in an area with rich grazing and that they will remain separate from the Egyptians, maintaining their identity. Joseph has spent long enough in Egypt that he is less than thrilled about the Egyptian religion with its obsessions about death.
Even though Joseph’s brothers have mistreated him badly in the past, Joseph realizes that God has used all those events to fit him for his current position. Now Joseph does his very best for his family, locating them in a choice spot. Truly, Joseph has matured into an able leader.
Joseph’s story can serve as an example for all of us. Face it, most of us have to deal with difficult people, whether relatives, acquaintances, or colleagues at work. Throughout Joseph’s struggles, he continues to learn as much as possible, refusing to descend into bitterness. Were Joseph to succumb to self-pity, his story might have ended far differently. But Joseph forgives and moves forward.
One of the most important life lessons we can learn is to become un-offendable. As long as we respond to irritations by being offended, we are handing someone our heads on a platter, giving Satan control over our emotions. The key to Joseph’s success lies in his refusal to descend into bitterness or dreams of retaliation. May we learn this lesson early, well, and permanently!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to focus so much on You that we refuse to take offense, no matter how strong the temptation. We ask this in the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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