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January 28

ASaunders

God’s Covenant Fulfilled and New Beginnings


Genesis 46-47 marks a significant transition in the story of God’s covenant people. Jacob and his entire household leave the land of Canaan to settle in Egypt, a move that seems counterintuitive to God’s promise of the Promised Land. However, this journey is divinely orchestrated to preserve and grow his chosen people during a time of famine.


Genesis 46 captures a pivotal moment in the story of God’s covenant with His people as Jacob (Israel) journeys to Egypt at the invitation of his son Joseph. The chapter opens with Jacob traveling to Beersheba, a place rich in spiritual significance. It was where both Abraham (Genesis 21:33) and Isaac (Genesis 26:23-25) had worshiped God. Jacob pauses here to offer sacrifices, seeking God’s guidance before taking a major step (v. 1). This act demonstrates Jacob’s dependence on God and his commitment to align his actions with God’s will. For Jacob and the other Patriarchs, worship was a fitting response in moments of seeking God’s guidance and direction. Likewise, worship remains a vital and appropriate response for us as we seek His guidance and align our lives with His will.


God responds by speaking to Jacob in a vision at night, reassuring him not to fear going to Egypt. First, God identifies Himself as the God of Jacob’s father, reminding Jacob of His covenant faithfulness. Second, God acknowledges Jacob’s fear and commands him not to be afraid. This shows God’s understanding of human emotions, particularly when faced with significant changes. Third, God promises His presence in Egypt and His continued fulfillment of the covenant to make Israel a great nation (v. 2-4). This divine reassurance highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises and assures that the move to Egypt is part of His larger plan for Israel’s future. It reflects His active role in guiding His people and demonstrates that God’s plans are not confined to a single location, but unfold wherever He leads His people.   


Jacob then sets out with his entire household, bringing all his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and possessions to Egypt (v. 5-7). This is a momentous event, as it marks the transition from life in Canaan to exile in Egypt, a theme that will play out throughout the Exodus narrative. The text lists the names of Jacob’s descendants who made the journey, numbering seventy in total (v. 8-27). While it might seem like a mundane detail, this list serves an essential theological purpose. It emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation. Each name on this list represents a person God sovereignly included in His redemptive plan. These individuals, though imperfect, were chosen to be part of the foundation of Israel, the nation through whom the Messiah would come (Matthew 1:1-16). This genealogy also reflects the importance of family and the role it plays in God’s purposes.


Upon arrival in Goshen, Jacob and Joseph share an emotional reunion after years of separation (v. 29). This moment is a beautiful picture of restoration as God reunites a family that had been torn apart by sin and deception. Jacob’s response is deeply emotional: “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive” (v. 30). These words reflect the contentment and peace Jacob feels after witnessing God’s faithfulness in restoring his family.


Joseph demonstrates wisdom and strategic thinking by preparing his family for life in Egypt. He instructs them to tell Pharaoh that they are shepherds, knowing this will grant them the land of Goshen, a region suitable for their livelihood and separate from Egyptian society (v. 31-34). This separation will protect Israel from cultural assimilation and ensure their identity as God’s covenant people. Additionally, it will ensure both provision and protection for Jacob’s family in a foreign land.


In Genesis 47, Joseph brings his family before Pharaoh after relocating them to Egypt. Joseph introduces five of his brothers to Pharaoh, who asks about their occupation. They explain they are shepherds and request permission to settle in Goshen, a fertile land suited to their needs (v. 1-4). Despite the Egyptians’ disdain for shepherds, Pharaoh grants them the best of the land of Goshen, demonstrating God’s favor on Israel. He even offers employment to the capable men among them as overseers of Pharaoh’s livestock (v. 5-6). Then, Joseph brings his father, Jacob, to meet Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses him (v. 7). Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh is particularly striking. Despite Pharaoh’s immense power, it is Jacob, the aged patriarch and recipient of God’s covenant, who offers the blessing.


The chapter shifts focus to Joseph’s administrative skills. In verses 13-26, we see Joseph’s wisdom in managing Egypt’s resources during the severe famine. As the famine continued, the people exchanged their money, livestock, and eventually their land for food. Pharaoh gains immense wealth and control, and the people become tenants. Joseph instituted a system where people gave one-fifth of their produce to the Pharaoh while keeping the rest for themselves. Although it seems harsh by modern standards, the arrangement reflects Joseph’s role as a steward of Pharaoh’s resources and as a provider for the people. His actions preserved lives and ensured the stability of Egypt during a time of immense hardship.


Meanwhile, Jacob prepares for his death. The chapter concludes with a poignant scene between Jacob and Joseph. Jacob, now 147 years old, recognizes that his time on earth is drawing to a close. He makes Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan, the land of God’s promise, rather than in Egypt (v. 29-31). Jacob’s request reveals his unwavering faith in God’s covenant promises. Despite living in Egypt, he understood that Canaan was the land God had given to his descendants. By asking to be buried there, Jacob affirms his belief that God would fulfill His promise to bring Israel back to the Promised Land. Joseph’s respectful compliance with Jacob’s request reflects his deep honor for his father and shared trust in God’s promises. This moment emphasizes the importance of living and dying with a faith rooted in God’s eternal plan.


Overall, these chapters highlight the tension between God’s covenant promises and the circumstances that seem to challenge them. Moving to Egypt might have felt like a departure from God’s plan, as the Promised Land was central to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet God’s reassurance to Jacob shows that this journey was part of His sovereign plan. Egypt would serve as a place of growth and preservation for Israel’s family, even as it set the stage for future deliverance (Exodus 1:7-12).


Jacob’s obedience to God’s direction, even in his old age, is an example of faith and trust. His willingness to leave the familiar and step into the unknown encourages us to follow God’s leading, even when His plans disrupt our comfort zones. The emotional reunion between Jacob and Joseph reminds us of God’s power to redeem and restore broken relationships, offering hope for healing in our own lives. The genealogical record challenges us to reflect on God’s faithfulness over generations, trusting that He is working in and through our lives to fulfill His purposes. Joseph’s strategic preparation reminds us of the value of wise planning, coupled with dependence on God’s guidance. Finally, we are again challenged to reflect on God’s sovereignty, trusting that His plans for us are good even when they take unexpected turns.

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