We learn that God has mysterious ways to keep His people safe in His domain. In this 46th chapter of Genesis we continue to learn of God’s surprising means of providence, as He Jacob (Israel) and his family to Egypt, and there in a region called Goshen He keeps them provided and protected until the fourth generation - the time when the iniquity of the Amorites (Canaanites) will be complete (Gen 15:16). Here we are at the beginning of the fulfilment of that word. The nation of Israel was conceived in Canaan, but Egypt will be the womb in which the nation will develop, until God sends her back to Canaan 400+ years later.
There is ultimately no safe place in this fallen world. That is why God moves His people from place to place. The only safe place will be our heavenly Canaan.
The re-union between Joseph and his
brothers happened in Chapter 45 – a chapter of tremendous importance and
perspective – particularly 45:4-8.
now it is time to fetch their father from
the land of Canaan.
OUTLINE
(i) 46:1-4 Encounter with God at Beersheba
(ii) 46:5-7 Leaving Beersheba
(iii) 46:8-27 Genealogy of Jacob’s children, divided into 4 groups, according to their mothers.
(iv) 46: 28-34 Reunion of Joseph and Jacob. Preparation for the audience with Pharaoh.
Israel /Jacob
having heard the astonishing news of
Joseph’s life and position in
Egypt – the fulfilment of Chapter 37, is
now on his way to Egypt. He is an old
man by now. He knew that he was going to die there (45:28; 46:4). That in itself was a huge step for Jacob, since he
knew that Egypt was not the land of promise. Canaan was. But since this was in response to the
providence, the leading of God,
Israel was now prepared to leave. In Genesis
15:13, God had said to Abram, "Know
for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not
theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.” God’s
mills grind slowly indeed. His purposes stretch across many generations. That
humbles us greatly. Jacob knows that
this is God’s plan. He knew that this
was not going to be a short family
outing. We are told that he took all he
had (46:1).
And so in response to God's word and
God's providence, he makes his way down into Egypt. When he comes to Beersheba, on the southern border of
Canaan, we read that “he offered sacrifices to the God of his
father Isaac”. Beersheba was the place of Isaac's own encounter with God (26:23-25). It is here in 46:3,4
that God
speaks to Jacob/ Israel in visions of the night, reaffirming the
promise given to Abraham and to Isaac. Here God
says six things to Israel,
(i) I am God, the God of your father.
God Himself, is always our greatest comfort. At Beersheba, on leaving the
promised, the God of his father Isaac and of Abraham his grandfather reminds him concerning the covenant promises.
(ii) “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt”.
Despite all misgivings and evil associations concerning the place, God encourages him to go to Egypt.
(iii) “There I will make you into a great nation”
– fulfilment of promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2.
(iv) “I myself will go down with you to
Egypt.” -
God’s reassuring presence with His people. God is not located or
restricted to a temple. He is located among His people. The
significance of the tabernacle later was
that God was moving with His people.
(v) “I will bring you up again”.
Israel himself will die in Egypt. But Israel /Jacob is the federal head of the
family, and he lives on in His family. The covenant extends further than Israel
Himself. God is not going to leave the
children of Israel in Egypt forever. But in faithfulness to His
promise, made to Abram in Genesis 15:13ff,
God was going to bring the children of Israelback
to the land of promise. [Incidentally, Egypt
is the picture of the world. The church is born in bondage and affliction; her destiny is the
heavenly Canaan]
(vi) ”Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” The one son Jacob thought he'd never see again, he will see, and he will close his eyes in death.
2. 46: 5-7 Leaving Beersheba
“Jacob set out from Beersheba…”. Having been in the
presence of God and having obtained the
promise of God, Israel has the assurance
of God.
“The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father”. The phrase, 'the sons of Israel' or ‘children of Israel’ becomes a standard phrase for the people of God – the people chosen by God. In one sense this movement is the beginning of the formation of the nation. God is taking Israel into Egypt in order to create a nation. He will forge this nation in the furnace of affliction. Character is created in adversity. It is God specifically and personally working to shape the character of His people individually and collectively. Whom the Lord loves, He disciplines (Hebr.12:6). God's providential plan in the lives of His people included an Egypt experience.
Do not be surprised when God sends you into deserts and other un-thought-of places to form you.
3. 46:8-27 A Genealogy of Israel
Here we find a list [1] of the descendants of Israel (46:8) [sons of Israel (46:5)], as they make their way to Egypt. This is the small number of people which will grow and prosper. They will come out in a few hundred years as a great multitude- well over a million people. The list is divided according to the four mothers (Leah, Zilpah, Rachel, Bilhah) of Jacob’s sons.
A few observations…
(i)Leah’s sons (46:8-15) :
- Leah’s 6 sons Reuben (the first-born of all), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun are mentioned along with their sons.
- Two of Judah’s sons, Er and Onan died in Canaan (38:6-10).
- One of Simeon’s sons, Shaul (46:10) came from a Canaanite woman.
- Judah himself also took Shua, a Canaanite wife (38:2) and after she died he had a set of twins from his daughter in law Tamar (the wife if Er, whom the Lord put to death because of his wickedness) to whom Perez and Zerah were born.
- This is an illustration, that despite clear instructions by God, the covenant race falls short (sins) time and again. No wonder that God will say to Israel in Deuteronomy 7:7, on the verge of going into the land of Canaan, 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
- The daughter Dinah (Ch. 34) is mentioned along with her brothers. Remember that this society was patri- linear, by God’s design.
(ii) Zilphah’s sons
(46:16-18)
- She was Leah’s servant who bore Gad and Asher.
- Note the mention of Serah – the sister of the offspring of Asher.
(iii)
Rachel's sons (46:19-22)
- Only Rachel is described as Jacob’s wife in this list.
- She bore Joseph (now Egypt’s prime minister) and Benjamin, the youngest brother.
- She died as a result of complications with his birth.
- Special mention is made of Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
- Joseph’s Egyptian wife Asenath is the only wife mentioned in the list.
- Benjamin, the last-born is also the most fruitful. He has 10 sons!
The
grand total of 70 persons given
cannot be taken literally. Joseph was in Egypt; His sons Manasseh and
Ephraim were born in Egypt. Er and Onan
died in Canaan. The explanation is that
this number is limited to those
who came from Jacob’s body which includes grand -children and great
grand- children.
(iv)
Bilhah's sons (46:23-25)
- Rachel’s servant who gave birth to Dan and Naphtali.
- Dan is the least fruitful of the sons. He only had one son.
4. Reunion of Joseph and Israel (46:28-34)
· Judah is given the honour to prepare for the meeting with Joseph (46:28). This is remarkable since Judah was responsible for the debacle of Joseph when he was sold to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt (37:27).
- 46:29 What an emotional reunion. They did not see each other for 22 years. He never thought that he would see him again. Now he was ready to die (46:30). This is reminiscent of Simeon in Lk 2:29-30. Thank God for such happy moments in this life.
- 46:31-34 Preparations for meeting Pharaoh: Joseph instructs his family in view of their meeting with Pharaoh. He explains to them that shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians. This will lead them into the land of Goshen. Goshen is located in the north-eastern Nile Delta region of Egypt, also referred to as the land of Rameses (47:11). Here they would essentially be separated from Egyptian culture. There will be no attempt on the part of Pharaoh to integrate them into the mainstream of Egyptian culture. This is God's hand of providence protecting Israel from integrating with the false gods of Egypt. He prepares the way for Israel to be secluded and protected in Egypt until the time of strong oppression and opposition comes – when the time for the Exodus comes.
Thank God for His strong hand upon His people.
This is our confidence, both now, and for evermore.
The doctrine of God’s providence, coupled with His steadfast, faithful love is a key doctrine for the believer to hold on to.
[1] See a list of the 12 sons of Israel
repeated in Exodus 1:1-5
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