Genesis 46 Lesson: The Exodus of Israel... into Egypt

Bible Study Series: Joseph, Jesus and You

Genesis 46 Lesson: The Exodus of Israel... into Egypt

by I Gordon

Welcome once again! We left the story last time with a hopeful, faith-filled Jacob. Having seen and heard the evidence of his son being alive, Israel said "It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die." It might just be me, but it sounds like a long overdue emotional family reunion is about to go down! But it is not as simple as packing up for your summer getaway for this is not a small family we are talking about. So this chapter explores the exodus of Israel and all his family, out of Canaan down into Egypt. We shall look at:

• The sacrifice Jacob made to God on this journey - and what it points to for the Christian
• The guidance that Jacob sought from God before making this journey - and how we should as well
• The extent of who was taken on this journey - and how it points to the departure of the Church at the rapture
• The blessing of Jacob and the summary of his life before Pharaoh - what can we learn from Jacob as he looked back on his life?

The exodus down to Egypt

Gen 46:1 So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 

Like Jacob, his grandfather Abraham had previously made a journey down into Egypt during a time of famine. It is in very similar circumstances that we read in chapter 12:

Gen 12:10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.

Now it is Jacob's turn. There is a midrash here involving Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Israel (as a nation) and Jesus. All would be in, and taken out of, Egypt, at some point in their lives. And thankfully the spiritual reality of this will continue with the church for we will be taken out of Egypt (a picture of the world) when the Lord returns at the rapture. So scripture tells us that it is Israel, the new man, that sets out on the journey God has for him. Just as it is the new creation in Christ that begins their journey with God. And when Israel reached Beersheba he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Issac. 'Be-er'-sheba' means 'well of the oath' and it represents the southern boundary of the land of Israel. This was a place of worship for both his fathers Abraham and Isaac (Gen 21:33, Gen 26:25) and as William MacDonald writes:

Israel stopped the caravan at historic Beersheba to worship the God of his father Isaac. This was the place where God appeared to Abraham in connection with the offering of Isaac (21:31–22:2). It was also the place where the Lord appeared to Isaac (Gen_26:23-24). Now He appears to Jacob to encourage him. This is the last of the Lord's seven appearances to him.
Believers Bible Commentary

So Israel pauses at the end of leaving the Promised Land to offer sacrifices to God. 

What are our sacrifices that we give to God?

In like manner, scripture is clear that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, are 'a holy priesthood', 'offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.' (1Pe 2:5)  
So, question time... What are the sacrifices that a believer makes today as we embark on our journey?  

• Our bodies: Rom 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
• Our lives: Php 2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
• Our gifts: Php 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
• Our praise: Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Have you offered those up to the Lord, and into His hands, recently?

Jacob meets God... again

Gen 46:2-4 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied. (3) I am God, the God of your father, he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. (4) I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."

While we walk by faith in this journey of life, thankfully, God is kind (as He is!) and confirms matters when they are important, gives direction when we have lost our way and provides encouragement when we are struggling. And this was an important critical move for the nation of Israel. Jacob desperately wanted to see his son Joseph but moving the entire family down to Egypt was no small undertaking! So being their father and their leader, Jacob wanted confirmation before leaving Canaan.

So what, in the natural, could Jacob have been worried about?

• He is old and has been previously thinking of his death (Gen 42:38). He may be fearful that he will never come out of Egypt if he goes there.
• Egypt was a foreign country that his father Isaac had been told not to go to (Gen 26:2) - so that would have put a question mark at least in the mind of Jacob.
• His grandfather Abraham also got into trouble in Egypt and he has no doubt heard those stories! (Gen 12:10-20) 
• He may have known the prophecy that the Lord gave to his grandfather Abraham that his people would be enslaved for 400 years in Egypt (Gen 15:13). That doesn't exactly light everything up green now does it? 

So again... Jacob wants to hear from God to confirm this journey. Previously, when Jacob was a young man and was leaving Canaan, he left Beersheba and God came to him to reassure him (Gen 28:10-15). Also both his grandfather and father had experienced God in Beersheba (Gen 21:33, 26:23-24). In fact it even had an altar there that his father Isaac had built (26:25). So this is a special spot for him. The family has history there. So would God appear again? Well we know the answer because we have already read it. Of course God does!

'And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied¹. (3) I am God, the God of your father, he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. (4) I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."

God spoke to him and gave comfort and great promises for this journey. The Lord assures Jacob of His protection, presence and purpose for this trip. These are things we all need to hear from time to time. 

1. Firstly God reassured Jacob of who He is saying 'I am God, the God of your father'. If God came to me and said 'Iain, Iain... I am God, the God of your mother' I would think that is pretty awesome. It would give her honor and me assurance.
2. Secondly God said 'Do not be afraid to go'. This is the confirmation right there. And if we knew the call of God, and knew that He was with us, we wouldn't be fearful either. With each new unknown we could say to ourselves, God said not to be fearful but to press on, so that is what I will do. I remember one time when I was in Europe and got really sick. Very unwell. Sleep fled far from one and I was really struggling. And as I cried out to the Lord I felt to read Proverbs 18:14. I didn't know what it was but quickly found it in my Bible. It said 'The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?' And that is what I had to do. I wasn't healed straight away. In fact I was sick for months. But I had to hold onto that verse all the time. When I was struggling, I repeated that verse and remembered that God is with me. I knew that if I let fear have its way, I would end up with a 'broken spirit'². And that didn't sound good! And I got through reminding myself not to be afraid, but that God knows and He will make a way'. And I'm sure this confirmation from God to Jacob was all that he needed.
3. Thirdly God said to Jacob 'I will make you great'. Yes Jacob was stepping into the unknown but it wasn't going to be the end down in Egypt. It was going to be the start of the coming forth of a great nation. 
4. Fourthly God told him 'I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again'³ This had been a fear of Jacob's. He wanted to dwell in the Promised Land like his fathers. God was here telling him that this would happen. There is a good ending to this story! 
5. Fifthly God says 'And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes'. This is quite beautiful. God is saying that 'you will never be abandoned - right to the last days of your life! Even at your end your family will be there with you. Joseph himself, your beloved son, will be supporting and honoring you.'  

It is likely that Jacob had never really expected to go down to Egypt in his old age. If you had asked him a few weeks earlier, this would have been out of the question. And we too may be called to do things that are not expected or easy for the Lord. We may be called to endure difficult times. All I can say is be confident, and take courage, that if God calls you to do something difficult, or endure something hard. like Jacob, He will be with you. Bible teacher and commentator, Mathew Henry, writes:

“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.”
Matthew Henry

Gen 46:5-7 Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel's sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. (6) They also took with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt. (7) He took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters--all his offspring.

It is important to see that this was a big ordeal! This was a big move. It involved everyone and all that they owned (or at least wanted to keep). They have all their sheep 'baa-ing' and following them as they head off on this 500 Km journey. And for Jacob, this will mark the third stage in his life. As J. Vernon McGee explains:

The life of Jacob can be divided into three geographical locations: the land of Haran, the land of Canaan, and the land of Egypt. These are not only geographical areas, but they denote three spiritual levels. Jacob left the land with just a staff. When he came into Haran, he was God's man living in the flesh. He came out of Haran, running. He was running away from his father-in-law and was afraid to meet his own brother Esau. Then in the land of Canaan Jacob had his wrestling match, but he is God's man who is fighting in his own strength. Now he is going to Egypt. He is not walking in his own strength, and he is not running away anymore. He is now walking by faith.
J. Vernon McGee

Everyone is removed to their new home

Now verses 8-25 give a thorough list of all those that went down to Egypt with Jacob. I won't go through all these verses and names but again, this is not just packing your bags and putting the family in the car. This exodus extends to Jacob's children and their children - three generations are making this move... along with all their possessions and livestock. So we read:  

Gen 46:26-27 All those who went to Egypt with Jacob--those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons' wives--numbered sixty- six persons. (27) With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

God and His numbers - 70 and 7's

So 66, not including Jacob, Joseph and his two sons, went down to Egypt, making 70 in total. If you know God, and you know your Bible, you will also know that He likes His sevens (and multiples thereof!) So 70 (10 x 7), from Jacob went down into Egypt. In like manner, in Jewish tradition, all of humanity are referred to as the “70 nations" based on the number of descendants that came from Noah in Genesis 10. And when you look at the names of those that went down into Egypt, we find that it includes 49 children (7 x 7) coming from Leah and Zilpah, and 21 children (7 + 7 + 7) coming from Rachel and Bilhah. You could say that this family, despite its problems, is perfect and complete and has God's hand all over it! 

Now you will note that the entire family left their home to make this journey. It wasn't that some went and some were left behind. No, none were left. Jacob didn't say, well these ones are my favorites so they can come. And I don't really fancy this son so we'll leave him behind. No, If you were in the family you were going! This gives us a great little picture of the rapture. Some teach that the rapture is just for the 'overcoming' believers, while the rest are left to be purified in the Tribulation. No. When the Lord takes us out of this home to our next, all the sons of God will be going and none will be left... just as it was when Jacob left to go to the place God had for him. 

It is also good to remember that God's work through this family took time. Pastor David Guzik reminds us that:

Like many great works of God, Israel had a slow beginning.
From the time God called Abraham, it took at least 25 years to add one son - Isaac
It took Isaac 60 years to add another son of Israel - Jacob
It took 50 or 60 years for Jacob to add 12 sons and one daughter
But in 430 years, Israel will leave Egypt with 600,000 men It took this family 215 years to grow from one to 70, but in another 430 years they grew to two million.
Pastor David Guzik

Jacob and Joseph Reunited

Gen 46:28-34 Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, (29) Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. (30) Israel said to Joseph, "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive." (31) Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, 'My brothers and my father's household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. (32) The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.' (33) When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, 'What is your occupation?' (34) you should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians."

What? What have we got here? A man actually asking directions on how to get somewhere? Surely not! : ) Judah is again seen as the leader amongst the brothers and goes ahead to find the way... and yes, even ask for directions! But finally they make it and father and son see each other for the first time since Jacob sent his 17 year old boy, some 22 years earlier, to look after the welfare of his brothers. When Jacob sees Joseph again, scripture tells us that they wept for a long time and Jacob said that he was now ready to die because his eyes have seen that Joseph is alive! This reminds us of another godly old man that was waiting his whole life to see the promised child, and upon seeing him said that he could now depart this life. Can you remember who that was? We read:

Luk 2:25-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (27) Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, (28) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: (29) Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. (30) For my eyes have seen your salvation, (31) which you have prepared in the sight of all people, (32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Now, do you think that Jacob learnt how Joseph got to Egypt? Did he find out that his other sons have been lying to him the past 22 years? He probably learnt the whole story but what I find interesting is that the Bible never speaks of it. It is not addressed. And that is a good thing for it too is a reminder that once we have been reconciled with our Joseph, Jesus, our sins are remembered no more! As bad as what you did was, it is remembered no more. Your sins and mine, thankfully, are not constantly brought up and rehashed. They are gone, cast to the depths in the sea of purposeful forgetfulness. Now we also see here again that Jacob's sons were shepherds, foreshadowing the greatest Son that shall come from this line - who is the Great Shepherd!⁴ And just as shepherds were looked down upon by the Egyptians, so is the Chief Shepherd despised by the world today. But that Chief Shepherd will soon be shown as the King of the whole universe! 

An ancient Egypt press conference?

Gen 47:1-6 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, "My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen." (2) He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. (3) Pharaoh asked the brothers, "What is your occupation?" "Your servants are shepherds," they replied to Pharaoh, "just as our fathers were." (4) They also said to him, "We have come to live here awhile, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants' flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen." (5) Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you, (6) and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock."

Now, I'll try not to be naughty, but when I read this I couldn't help thinking that this all sounds like a Biden press conference! Though I doubt they had teleprompters. Joseph has told his brothers what questions they will be asked and how they should respond. It is all carefully scripted. They know that Pharaoh will ask them about their occupation and they have rehearsed their answer... 'we are shepherds, just like our fathers... please let us live in Goshen, good sir!' And it works perfectly. Pharaoh says to Joseph that they should live in Goshen and if any of them have special abilities they can have a sweet job looking after Pharaoh's livestock. The Bible says 

Pro 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Pro 22:29  Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

And so it was for Joseph and his brothers. Now here are two quick points I would like to make about this passage. 

• 'Have the best of the land.' Pharaoh didn't know these people personally, so why was Pharaoh willing to give the best of the land to them? Well they were blessed because of... Joseph! Pharaoh knew Joseph and had tremendous respect and honor for him. So if these were his brothers then then would be blessed as well. It is the same with Jesus. Believers are blessed 'in Christ'. It is because of Him that we have such favor with the Father. And we have the 'best of the land' - We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus as Ephesians tells us.
• 'Any capable men, put them in charge of my livestock' - This was actually quite an honor and an important role. They were to look after the King of Egypt's own sheep and livestock. Yes, it was an important and privileged role. But not as important as the shepherds that the Father has put in charge of His sheep. That can be looked down upon but it is a critical role. And any Shepherd of God's sheep should do so with all the care and reverence that such a role requires. Those over God's sheep should not be hirelings, in the role for the money and perks. True shepherds should follow what the Apostle Peter said:   

1Pe 5:1-4 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, (2) shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; (3) nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (4) And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

And every Christian, whether they are called as a Pastor or not, are still called to care for and look out for one another. We all have a role in taking care of God's sheep. Again... what is more important than that?  

The lesser is blessed by the greater

Gen 47:7-12 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, (8) Pharaoh asked him, "How old are you?" (9) And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." (10) Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. (11) So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. (12) Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children.

Joseph honored his father, bringing him before Pharaoh, just as Jesus honored His Father. This was obviously before the law and the commandment to 'honor your mother and father' - yet that is what he did. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. The Bible tells is in Hebrews 7:7 that 'without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.' So we see here that Jacob was the greater. Pharaoh had the earthly wealth and power but Jacob had the spiritual wealth and power. Jacob blessed in the name of the God of the universe! Now, clearly asking someone's age was fine back then. Jacob was 130 and he didn't look a day over... 150! When asked about his life, Jacob doesn't sugar coat it. He says that the years of his sojourn have been few and difficult. Difficult is not a great translation here. The word is 'rā‛āh' - An adjective meaning 'bad, evil. wicked.' So what did Jacob emphasize to Pharaoh?  

• He was on a 'sojourn / pilgrimage' - this has the sense of lodging; a temporary abode. Jacob realized this world was not his true home. He was a pilgrim, as was his granddad Abraham, looking for the eternal heavenly city.
• His were 'few days' - when you get near the end of your life you realize how quickly it all went. He is 130 at this stage, yet they seemed but a few days. The reality is that we need to think of eternity and not here. 
• His were 'evil days' - Now some of this was self-inflicted! But this is a different Jacob. While standing before Pharaoh but doesn't gloat when looking at his life. He sees that he has had a lot of problems and certainly doesn't boast about what he has done. But we can say that in all of Jacob's life, these are the best days.

We also read in this passage that 'Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children.' Again, this is a picture of the provision that the Lord Jesus gives for those that are His own. And we should never be ungrateful for what He has done, is doing, and will do, in our life.

Conclusion

So Jacob's summary of his life before Pharaoh is a good place to conclude. As he casts his mind back quickly over his days, he can see that life is short and uncertain. He remembers how he loved Rachel, yet he was tricked into marrying Leah. He remembers how he desperately wanted a child through Rachel, yet it was Leah who was giving birth. And he remembers how Rachel, when she finally started giving birth, died in the process of having their second child Benjamin. He remembers also how his beloved firstborn to Rachel, Joseph, was assumed dead for 22 long years. Yeah... Jacob realizes that life doesn't often go as we hope or expect. There wasn't really a happy ever after for Jacob. Yet God was working in his life through all of it and he was now about to come into the most peaceful time of his life.  

And when we get to the New Testament, we see God's view concerning Jacob's confession of being a pilgrim here:

Heb 11:13-16 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (14) For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. (15) And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16) But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

May we be like those that followed God's call and lead. May we life knowing that the better country is still to come and desiring that heavenly home. If we live with this in mind, God will be proud to be called your God as well!

God Bless.

FOOTNOTES