JACOB HEADS TO EGYPT
And so, Jacob, the deceiver was transformed into Israel, the dependent. The next few chapters in Genesis trace the latter years of Jacob’s life when his newfound trust in God was put the the test. His relationship with Esau, restored on the surface, but with Jacob’s misgivings still smouldering underneath, led him to settle in Canaan far from his brother.
His life in Canaan on his return was ordinary, but God’s promise to him and his descendants and God’s reassurance, became the guiding principle in his life.
Genesis 35:6-7 NIV
[6] “Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. [7] There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother….
[9] After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. [10] God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel. [11] And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. [12] The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” [13] Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.”
One by one, Jacob’s closest family members passed on, culminating in the death of his beloved Rachel in childbirth. So, all he had left of her was Joseph and his newborn son, Benjamin. His relationship with his ten older sons slowly soured as his love and attention centred on Rachel’s boys.
Genesis 37:3 NIV
[3] “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.”
Jacob’s story began to take a back seat as the focus shifted to Joseph. As I move into a study of Joseph’s life, I am struck by Joseph’s persistent integrity despite his suffering. How did he weather such compelling temptations without a Bible to guide him?
I believe the answer is Jacob. Obviously, Jacob’s dramatic encounters with God, initially at Bethel and again at Peniel, left indelible marks on his life. His bond with Joseph, as young as he was before he was ripped from his father’s side, fostered intimacy. Jacob must have spent time teaching his son the values he had learned through these experiences, and the promises given to him and his predecessors.
Joseph must have developed an awareness and a holy fear of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from the lessons he learned from his father, as his father passed down to him the promises made to his ancestors.
So, Jacob, twister though he was, became Israel, a prince with God, and lived to see the next phase of God’s prophetic word to Abraham. He responded to God’s instruction to go to Egypt where Joseph was in charge, assured that God was at the helm of his life and the lives of his descendants.
Genesis 15:13-16 NLT
[13] “Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. [14] But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. [15] (As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.) [16] After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”
To be concluded…