Genesis

Genesis 46: God goes with Jacob into Egypt

Begin in prayer

Before we follow Jacob's household into Egypt, let us ask God to help us rest on His faithful presence and promise. Please bring Him the change that troubles you and seek the mercy of Jesus, who keeps His people through life and death.

For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.

Psalm 61:3

Father, please help us understand Your word to Jacob and Your care for the family You counted. Open our eyes to Jesus, who died and rose to bring sinners near. Make us more like Him, faithful in ordinary work and gentle toward those who fear. Please bless our family with faith in Christ and courage shaped by Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Israel travels with his household and possessions, stopping at Beersheba to sacrifice to the God of his father Isaac. God tells him not to fear Egypt, promising His presence, a great nation there, a return and Joseph's care at his death. The family continues in Pharaoh's wagons, and the register names Jacob's descendants under four mothers, giving seventy for his household. It notes Er and Onan's deaths in Canaan and includes Joseph's two sons born in Egypt. Judah goes ahead to Goshen, where Joseph embraces his father and weeps, and Jacob speaks of dying after seeing his son alive. Joseph prepares to present the family to Pharaoh as keepers of livestock, seeking their settlement in Goshen because Egyptians despise shepherds.

As you read Genesis 46, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God goes with Jacob into Egypt, keeping His promise to make a great nation and bring him up again.

Israel sets out with all he has, stopping at Beersheba to sacrifice to the God of Isaac, where the fathers had worshipped. God calls Jacob in the night and tells him not to fear Egypt, promising to make him a great nation there. He promises His own presence, a return from Egypt and Joseph's care at Jacob's death, so leaving Canaan does not abandon His word. Pharaoh's wagons carry the family, and the register groups Jacob's descendants under Leah, Zilpah, Rachel and Bilhah, naming persons within God's growing promise. The record notes Er and Onan's deaths in Canaan and includes Joseph's sons born in Egypt, giving seventy for Jacob's household. This small household will become the nation, and Judah's line through Perez and Hezron will lead to Christ (Matthew 1 verse 3). Judah goes ahead to Goshen, where Joseph meets his father and weeps on his neck, bringing Jacob the sight he longed for. Joseph prepares the family to tell Pharaoh their trade honestly, so they may live in Goshen despite the Egyptians' contempt for shepherds. God's presence carries His people through change and death, and Christ frees believers from death's bondage (Hebrews 2 verses 14 and 15).

How does Genesis 46 show us that God goes with Jacob into Egypt, keeping His promise to make a great nation and bring him up again?

God's word gives Jacob reason to travel without fear.

At Beersheba Jacob offers sacrifices, and God identifies Himself as the God of his father before promising to go with him. The same God who promised a great nation now says He will make it there in Egypt. His promise reaches to Jacob's return and Joseph's hand closing his eyes in death.

God keeps His promise through a small and named family.

The register names descendants from all four households, including those of the women who had been servants. It records seventy for Jacob's house and notes Joseph's two sons already born in Egypt. Names from Judah's family lead to Jesus, who redeems sinners and gives believers a place in God's family.

God gives Jacob the joy of seeing Joseph alive.

Judah goes ahead to Goshen, and Joseph meets his father, embraces him and weeps on his neck. Jacob says he can now die after seeing his son alive, while God's promise still holds the end of his life. Jesus died and rose to deliver His people from slavery to the fear of death (Hebrews 2 verses 14 and 15).

God provides a place for a family others despise.

Joseph will tell Pharaoh his family are shepherds and asks them to give their lifelong work as keepers of livestock. He seeks their settlement in Goshen, explaining that Egyptians find every shepherd detestable. God's care reaches this family through Joseph's planning while their ordinary work remains the same.

Memorise

I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation.

Genesis 46:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what unbelief beneath my fear do I need Jesus to forgive and change?

God promises Jacob, “I will go down with you into Egypt.” The road leaves Canaan, yet God's promise of a great nation goes with the family. His promise also reaches Jacob's return from Egypt and Joseph's presence at his death. In Goshen Joseph embraces him and weeps, and Jacob speaks of dying after seeing his son alive.

Christ entered death to free His people from the bondage of fearing it (Hebrews 2 verses 14 and 15). At the cross He bore the punishment their sins deserved and satisfied God's justice in their place. He rose from the dead, and His finished work is enough to bring every sinner who trusts Him into God's family. Those He receives have His presence in life and His welcome beyond death.

Please turn from the unbelief that gives fear the last word, and trust Jesus Christ. Everyone who repents and believes in Him receives forgiveness and life with God. If you belong to Him, bring Him the change or loss that frightens you and let His written Word guide your next step. The Savior who has conquered death will keep His people.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God promised His presence to Jacob and counted the family through whom His promise would continue. Christ died in His people's place and rose, so call each child to repent and trust Him for life with God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Pray that God would give them new hearts that trust Christ through fear and change.

Pray together

Please bring God the unbelief named in the heart question and ask for faith in Jesus. Thank Him for the Savior who brings believers into His family and keeps them through change and death. Invite each child to pray if they want to, asking help with a fear or thanking God for His care.

For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Romans 8:15

Father, thank You for keeping Your promise and for receiving sinners through Jesus. Please forgive our unbelief and the fear that makes us turn from Your Word. Grant each of us a heart that turns from sin and rests in the Savior who has conquered death. Teach us to trust Your presence, serve honestly and care for one another as we face change. Keep us thankful for Your faithful mercy. Amen.