Genesis 46-48

January 16

Genesis 46-48

Israel was living in the land where his father Isaac had lived, the land where his grand-father Abraham had lived. More than that he was living in the land God had promised to give to him and his descendents. He was living in the land that Abraham traveled to because God told him to go there. But the famine had gotten so severe they could not stay in the land. Joseph was in charge in Egypt and had sent for Israel and his sons and their families to move to Egypt until the famine was over. Joseph was preparing for them to move into the best land of Egypt. But what did God say?

            During an earlier famine God; “The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live.” (Genesis 26:2, NIV84) He then appeared to him at Beersheba and reassured him; “That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”” (Genesis 26:24, NIV84)

So when Israel set out from the land of promise and headed toward Egypt, he had to be wondering whether or not God would have him leave the land. He had to be wondering what Abraham or Isaac would say to him. So when he reached Beersheba he made sacrifices to God. He sought wisdom from God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NIV84)

God appeared to Israel in a visit just as He had appeared to his father Isaac. “And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”” (Genesis 46:2–4, NIV84)

There are a lot of decisions we have to make in our lifetime. Some are major life changing decisions, like moving to a new community or even to a new house. Others seem smaller. But if we want to walk in obedience to God, we should seek wisdom from God. Israel was ready to go, but he checked with God before moving out of the land God had given him.

When we have decisions to make, large or small, God wants to be involved. If we will lift up our concerns, our desires, our worries to God, He will guide us in wisdom.  From the outside, it looked like Jacob was moving away from God’s promise. He was abandoning the land God had given them. But after seeking God’s wisdom, Jacob knew that God would bring his people back to the land. God was going with them to Egypt and would bring them out.

Sometimes when we follow God it seems like we are moving away from our dreams. Sometimes it seems like we are moving away from the dreams God has given us. But sometimes God needs to move us in order to bring our dreams to fruition. Are you willing to allow God to lead you wherever He may want to take you today? Do you need wisdom in a decision, large or small? Seek God and He will show you.