A Short Study on Gen 46:1-4

So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here am I." Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes."

Genesis 46:1-4 (ESV)

Studying the Passage

The Fear and Worry of Jacob

Jacob is an old man of 130 years (Gen 47:9) now and he has received news that Joseph is alive! (Gen 45:26)

While he makes the journey to Egypt to see Joseph (Gen 45:27), it is recorded that Jacob stops at Beersheba to offer sacrifices – why there?

The significance of Beersheba

• Abraham worshipped God there (Gen 21:33)
• God repeated His covenant with Abraham to Isaac (Gen 26:23-25)

Perhaps at Beersheba, Jacob realises the full impact of the trip he is undertaking and he is clearly fearful and worried. 

Why would Jacob be fearful and worried?

1. As an old man, he must have been unwilling to make the journey to Egypt – it would be a major change.
2. He would be leaving the Promised Land, how would God’s Covenant promises continue?
3. Earlier (Gen 45:26), Jacob had expressed doubt that Joseph was alive.

The Assuring God
God later spoke to Jacob to assure him that it was alright to go to Egypt (addressing Jacob’s fear). In fact, God would go down together with Jacob. Israel would become a nation in Egypt, fulfilling His promise to Abraham.

Finally, God addressed Jacob’s worry by assuring him that that he will indeed get to see Joseph.

The Preservation of the Promise

Jacob saw that he might be stepping out of God’s will. He knew that there was a land promise given and there have been warnings to not go to Egypt (Gen 26:2-3).

God intervened to reassure Jacob of 2 things concerning this –

1. It was alright to go down to Egypt
2. God will ensure that Israel returns to Canaan 

 Ultimately, God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be upheld.

The Christological Context

We see the preservation of the Abrahamic Covenant that would later reach its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, the true Seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16).

The Lesson Points

God graciously reveals His will to Jacob – giving him the peace to continue on the journey out of the Promised Land.

In this we see that God is a loving, relational God.

God promises to bring Israel back to the Promised Land.

In this we see that God is faithful and true to His word.

God sets the stage for the man Moses to come and lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses is a type of Christ (Acts 3:22).

In this we see that God is wise, sovereign and incomprehensible (i.e. He cannot be fully understood). Indeed, He works all things to His glorious purpose – foreshadowing the Saviour.

Application
God comforted Jacob with His words, reminding him of His promises and assuring him of His presence. Today, we have the complete Word of God (2 Tim 3:16-17) and the Holy Spirit dwells in us (1 Cor 3:16). We have all of God’s promises in hand and we have His presence with us daily. We ought to be even more comforted in times of distress!