Studies In Genesis: Chapter 46 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

Pray. Either at the altars or at your pews.

In this chapter we are going to see the children of Israel migrating to Egypt. Always remember that Jacob was weary of going to Egypt. Why? probably because the Lord had told Isaac and Abraham not to go and they got into trouble by going.

Genesis 12:10. And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.

Genesis 26:2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into

Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

Genesis 46:1. And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.

Beersheba-Place of personal devotion used by Abraham in Gen 21:33, Isaac in Gen 26:25

So Israel begins his journey to the land of Egypt. At this time I believe that Jacob still has plans to return. He is going to see his son. Why do you think that God wanted the Israelites to be in Egypt and not in Caanan?

1) To gather them together and not be separated in all places

2) To isolate them from the world cf 43:42, 46:34

Why do you think he offered a sacrifice unto the Lord? To get a decision from God. He wanted to know that what he was doing was right. Do we sometimes have to offer sacrifices to the Lord so that he will give us the right decision to make?

2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here [am] I.

Notice how Jacob was listening for the Lord. The Lord did not have to search but he was there. Jacob was listening. This is a contrast to his life just a few years earlier when he was running away from God. But now he is more mature he is more ready.

3 And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

What beautiful words. "I am God . . . fear not".

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

God fulfills this promise to Jacob and all of his fathers in Exodus 1:7 and then finally by the end of Exodus.

Promise fulfilled

Exodus 1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

The promise was to Jacob. God will go down with him to Egypt and God will surely bring him back out again. In the valley's that we face God says the same thing.

5. And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

Jacob has grown his life has changed. His growth began in Haran-running from the Lord. Then in Caanan-wrestling with the Lord. Now in Egypt walking by faith in the Lord. Haran- living in the flesh. Caanan-fighting for the Lord but by own power. Egypt totally walk wit the Lord.

6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

No one could survive the famine. All had to go to Egypt. This was God's plan.

Jacob's genealogy.

Children of Jacob by Leah

8 And these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.

10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.

11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.