So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called. “Here I am,” Jacob replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.” [Genesis 46.1-4]
It is worth noting a few things about this passage in the context of the entirety of the story of Israel.
God did not command Jacob to leave Canaan (the Promised Land). Jacob had already set out to go to Egypt before he offered sacrifices and had communication with God about it.
Famine considered, did Jacob need to go to Egypt? No, they were getting food from Egypt while they were still in Canaan. As it would turn out, Jacob's exit of the Promised Land (Canaan) would eventually put his family in the terrible bondage of Egypt.
So, was going to Egypt God's will?
I think the question above is a worthy question! God certainly told Jacob not to be afraid to go, but was it necessary? We have no record that God ordained Jacob's relocation out of Canaan to Egypt.
Could much of the Old Testament Story covered in the book of Exodus have been avoided had Jacob stayed in Canaan (Canaan was, after all, the goal all along)? I don't know - we will never know.
It is worth considering that our decisions today could have great consequence on our family tomorrow.
BUT! God is faithful and will be glorified in whatever situation we get into if we will look to Him for deliverance!
And that is what I have to say about that! Ha.
Father, help to be as mindful as humanly possible about the decisions I make!
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