Gen. 46:5-27
Whether or not Jacob had knowledge of the earlier relation given his grandfather concerning his people’s move to Egypt, we are not told. But Jacob revealed his confidence in the same God that Abraham and Isaac had known and was encouraged by His assurances as he undertook the long journey southward. It is delightful to see the old patriarch’s trust in God at this important time of his life.
“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. And they took their cattle, and their goods which they had gotten in the land of Canaan,... and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.” He and his sons had no idea of entering that land as mere dependents on its prince, whatever his desire to show all honor to Joseph. They therefore took their “stuff” along with them.
Nevertheless the message from Pharaoh had been: “regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” What a generous welcome this was to the little company! There was no cause for concern, for the best of the new land lay before them. Pharaoh voiced the highest authority in these assurances to Joseph’s people. May we ever remember that God has promised complete care and provision for all who are Christ’s, for He identifies all such with His Son, just as Pharaoh identified Israel and his people with Joseph and showed kindness for his sake. Has the believer assurances of divine care in this our day? Indeed he does. He is told not to trust “in uncertain riches but in the living God, who giveth it; richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim 6: 17. “Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:31-33. The psalmist was in the good of this when he said: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Psa. 68:19.
The names of those accompanying Jacob are listed and counted in verses 8-26, a total of 67, including the father. “And the sons of Joseph, which were borne him in Egypt, were two souls; all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.” v. 27. How instructive it is to see God taking account of the names and the number of His people, few and feeble though they were. Be the circumstance ever so small, or the occasion ever so great, the eye of the Lord is at all times upon those who are His. Well may the believer say with Hagar of old, “Thou God seest me,” and be encouraged to know more of this watchfulness and care. “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways.” Psa. 139:2-4.
Memory Verse: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.
ML 11/26/1967