Following the news that Joseph is alive, Jacob prepares to move to Egypt. Having packed up the moving vans, they halted at a rest stop, Beersheba—where he had grown up, Abraham had called on God, and the Lord had appeared to Isaac. Jacob offers sacrifices—no doubt, for his sins of unbelief and of thanksgiving for keeping Joseph alive. Later that night, the Lord appears to him for the eighth and last time. Although the text does not tell us, the Lord knows Jacob fears going to Egypt. He would have many reasons to be apprehensive: robbers on the highway, he might not survive the difficult journey, and so forth. More significantly, he knows that Egypt has been troublesome for his forefathers. Would it be trouble for him and his family? The answer is yes! He knows the prophecy that God had given Abraham: they will be strangers in a land, afflicted for 400 years. He is leaving the land of promise to go to the land of affliction—no wonder he needs the Lord's assurance.
The Lord also reiterates the covenantal promises, including "I will there make of thee a great nation." Why Egypt? Couldn't God make him into a great nation back home, in Canaan? Yes, but our all-wise God had a specific plan. First, save the family from famine. Second, put Israel and his children in a pocket—a nest, a safe place. Somewhere to grow up, relatively insulated, separated, and protected … from idolatry. And they did grow into a mighty nation, prepared for the Exodus and to receive God's Law four hundred years later.
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Kurt Snow serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church of Sacramento (RCUS). He served as a member of the Board of Governors of City Seminary of Sacramento from 2000 to 2020.
