Genesis 46:1 - Meaning and Application

The command is clear: In all your ways acknowledge God, and the promise is clear too, he will direct your paths. Jacob had a serious matter before him, not just a trip, but a move to live in another country. This surprised him, since he had always expected to live and die in Canaan. It would also affect his family for many years to come.

Here we see how Jacob honored God in this matter. He came to Beersheba from Hebron, where he lived, and there he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac (Genesis 46:1). He chose that place because it reminded him of the close fellowship his father and grandfather had with God there. Abraham called on God there (Genesis 21:33), and Isaac did too (Genesis 26:25), so Jacob made it a place of prayer, especially since it was on his route.

In his worship, Jacob looked to God as the God of his father Isaac, that is, as the covenant God who had made promises to Isaac and passed them on to him. God had once forbidden Isaac to go down to Egypt during a famine in Canaan (Genesis 26:2). Jacob likely remembered that as he came to ask God for guidance. In effect, he was saying, “Lord, I want to see Joseph, but if you forbid me to go to Egypt, as you did my father Isaac, I will submit and stay here gladly.”

Jacob offered sacrifices, not only the regular ones, but also extra sacrifices for this special time. He did this in thanksgiving for the happy change in his family, for the news about Joseph, and for the hope of seeing him again. We should thank God for the beginning of mercy, even before it is complete, and that is also a fitting way to ask for more mercy. He also offered sacrifices to ask for God’s presence on the journey. He wanted peace with God and forgiveness for sin, so he would not carry guilt with him, because guilt is a bad travel companion. Through Christ, the great sacrifice, we must be made right with God and bring our requests to him.

Jacob also sought guidance. The heathen used sacrifices to consult their oracles, but Jacob would not move until he had asked God’s leave. His question, in effect, was, “Should I go down to Egypt, or go back to Hebron?” We should ask such questions in doubtful matters. Even if we do not get an immediate answer from heaven, if we carefully follow Scripture, conscience, and providence, we will not ask God in vain.

God answered and directed his path in the visions of the night, probably the night after Jacob’s sacrifices, as in (2 Chronicles 1:7). The Lord spoke to him (Genesis 46:2). Those who seek fellowship with God will find that he does not fail on his side. If we speak to him rightly, he will speak to us. He called Jacob by name, twice, “Jacob, Jacob,” to remind him of his low place. His present fears did not fit so well with the name Israel, which means one who struggles with God and prevails. Jacob answered like a man used to God’s visions and ready to obey, “Here I am.”

God first renewed his covenant with him: “I am God, the God of your father” (Genesis 46:3). In other words, “I am what you confess me to be. You will find me to be God for you, with divine wisdom and power working on your behalf. You will also find me true to the covenant I made with your father.”

Then God encouraged him to make the move: “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt.” Jacob had first heard that Joseph was alive and powerful in Egypt and had likely been ready at once to go see him. But when he thought more about it, new troubles came to mind. Even changes that bring great joy often bring some fear too. There is no pleasure without some mixture of care. We should rejoice, but do so with a sober heart.

Jacob had several worries about this journey. He was 130 years old, and old age often brings weakness and fear of travel (Ecclesiastes 12:5). The trip was long, and he was not fit for it. He may also have remembered that his beloved Rachel died on a journey. He feared that his sons might be drawn into Egyptian idolatry and forget the God of their fathers, or become attached to Egypt’s pleasures and forget the land God had promised. He may also have remembered God’s word to Abraham about the future bondage and suffering of his descendants (Genesis 15:13), and feared that going to Egypt would lead to that. We should not let present comfort make us forget possible future trouble. He also could not bear the thought of having his bones buried in Egypt. But whatever his fears were, God’s word answered them all: “Do not be afraid to go down into Egypt.”

God also promised comfort in the move. First, he said Jacob’s family would grow there: “I will make you a great nation there.” That was the place God had chosen for the promise to be fulfilled. Second, he promised his presence: “I will go down with you into Egypt.” Those who go where God sends them will have God with them, and that is enough to keep them safe and steady. We may even go into Egypt, if God goes with us. Third, God promised that Jacob and his family would not be lost there: “I will surely bring you up again.” Jacob died in Egypt, but this promise was still fulfilled. It was fulfilled when his body was brought back to Canaan for burial, which he was very concerned about (Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:32). It was also fulfilled when his descendants were brought up out of Egypt and settled in Canaan. Whatever dark valley God calls us into, if he goes down with us, we can be sure he will bring us up again. If he goes with us down into death, he will surely bring us up to glory.

Finally, God promised Jacob a tender kindness in life and death: “Joseph will close your eyes.” This meant Joseph would live as long as Jacob lived, stay with him at his death, and gently close his eyes, as loving family members did. Jacob may have longed for that last act of love. God answered that wish exactly. In this way, God sometimes gives his people even their innocent desires, and makes not only their death peaceful, but even its details fitting and kind.