GENESIS 46
So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3 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. 4 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.”5 Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, 7 his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt. – Genesis 46:1-7
GENESIS 46 GOD APPEASES ISRAEL TO GO DOWN TO EGYPT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
After knowing that his favorite son Joseph was still alive
Israel took the journey even though he had trepidations
On his way, the Lord God spoke to him in visions of the night
God confirmed to Israel that he need not fear to go to Egypt.
God was with him all the way to see his son who was waiting for him
So went on his journey knowing that he’ll see his son before he dies
All his sons and daughters and all their entire household are to come too
They will all be provided for in Egypt and survive the famine in the land.
Israel must have been over a hundred years old by the time Joseph was sending him to go to Egypt. It is understandable to have apprehensions to travel that far with the entire family with them at that age. He doesn’t know what was going to happen if he did leave Canaan. But the Lord knows his fears and he was appeased in a vision by God himself and he was told that it was alright for him to go and die there in Joseph’s presence.
We are humans and it’s okay to fear at times but for God’s people, he always makes a way to comfort and appease us with the truth.
REFLECTION
- When has God appeased you when you start to worry or fear about something?
