Genesis 46

Beersheba is a place where both Abraham and Isaac lived for a time. It must have seemed to be an appropriate place to seek God, particularly if Jacob was worried about the covenant! While there, God makes sure that Jacob understands the detour into Egypt isn’t going to thwart His plans. Not only will He increase Jacob’s descendants while there, God will also bring them back to the promised land. He also assures Jacob that he will be with Joseph until he dies: “Joseph’s hand will close your eyes” (WEB, 46:4).

There is some discussion about the numbers 66 and 70 as they relate to Jacob’s family (46:26, 27). The simplest explanation is to take 70 as a round number that represents the totality of the family.

Why was it so important that Jacob’s family stay together in Egypt? Two words: safety and identity. Genesis 46:34 probably means that nomadic foreigners were not liked by the Egyptians, and we see this borne out by the fact that the Jewish people end up becoming slaves in Egypt. By staying grouped together they at least had some measure of safety, and they were able to retain their identity and piety in the midst of an idolatrous people.

Thought for the day: Do you make it a habit to seek God before important decisions or journeys?

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (WEB) “You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.”