Genesis 46-48

Notes compiled with my BSF group and Bible study 

GOD COMFORTS JACOB (Genesis 46:1–4)

God tells Jacob to go down to Egypt (Genesis 46:3-4)
Perhaps Jacob was reluctant to go down to Egypt because he had already lost Joseph and did not want to lose another son. Perhaps, it was because Jacob remembered how God had previously commanded Jacob to not go to Egypt. Perhaps, Jacob had concerns: Would going down to Egypt ruin the bloodline? Would they be absorbed by the Egyptians? For whatever reason, Jacob was conflicted about his situation and choices. However, he took it to the Lord, and God comforted Jacob, telling him that it was okay for him to head down to Egypt, that he would even be reunited with Joseph.

God has His timing for everything. When it is not time for His plan to proceed, we cannot succeed even if we force ourselves to proceed. Yet, when it is time for us to move, He will let us know, and success will be inevitable.

God's prophecy is fulfilled (Genesis 46:3-4)

1. I will make you into a great nation there
This was fulfilled under the leadership of Joseph (Exodus 1:6-7)

2. I will go down to Egypt with you
The children of Israel multiplied and remained fruitful because God was with them and blessed them (Exodus 1:6-7).

3. I will surely bring you back again
God brought the children of Israel back into the Land through Moses (Exodus 4-13) and Joshua (Joshua).

4. Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes
Joseph and Jacob were able to enjoy a couple more decades of life together. Joseph was with Jacob when he passed away (Genesis 50:1).


JACOB AND HIS SONS HEAD TO EGYPT (Genesis 46:5–27)

As a family of 70, Jacob and his family entered Egypt. His family was not yet a nation, and by entering into Egypt, they were sheltered from the corrupted nations surrounding them. Jacob's small family would not be able to protect and defend themselves. By moving them into Egypt, God was protecting and preserving His people.

The Egyptians, at the time, were very proud people. They were the strongest power in the world, and they frowned upon mingling with foreigners, because they took pride in their lineage. This worked to Jacob's advantage because this meant the Egyptians had no interest in mixing with them, while they sought refuge in Egypt. Because of Joseph, Jacob and his family gained favor in Pharaoh's eyes and were therefore welcomed into Egypt. Further, because the Egyptians would not mingle with the Hebrews, they were able to make sure their blood line stayed pure.


JOSEPH REUNITES WITH HIS FATHER (Genesis 46:28-34)

Joseph arranged to have his family settle in Goshen.

The land was fertile and great for pastures. Jacob's family were a family of shepherds, and Goshen was a good land for them to make a living. Also, Goshen was on the edge of Egypt, easily separated from the Egyptians. This offered a buffer between the Egyptians and the Hebrews, ensuring that the Hebrews did not fall under the corrupt influence of Egypt or intermarry with the Egyptians. Goshen therefore was great not only for livelihood, it also helped kept the Egyptians and the Hebrews separate.

By telling Pharaoh that they were shepherds, Joseph further ensured that the Egyptians would leave them alone, because the Egyptians thought very lowly of shepherds and would have nothing to do with them.

And indeed, Jacob and his family were never absorbed into the Egyptian culture. They went into Egypt a family of 70; they came out, 400 years later, a nation of millions.


PHARAOH WELCOMES JACOB AND HIS FAMILY (Genesis 47:1-12)

This Pharaoh listened to Joseph and respected the God of Joseph. We do not know whether Pharaoh, through Joseph, became a faithful servant of God. However, we do know that he trusted Joseph, and thanked him greatly for the service he gave to Egypt. We will discover that a few hundred years down the road, another Pharaoh would be in place, and he would not look so kindly upon the children of Israel (Exodus).


JOSEPH LEADS EGYPT THROUGH THE FAMINE (Genesis 47:13–27)

To guide the people of Egypt through the famine...
1. Joseph collected all the money
2. Joseph then collected all the livestock
3. Joseph bought all the land in Egypt

By implementing strict measures, Joseph taught the people the value of the provisions. If people didn't have to work hard for something or make certain sacrifices, they would not truly comprehend, first hand, the value of the provisions given to them. Through these strict measures, people learn to deepl appreciate the provisions of God.


JACOB REQUESTS TO BE BURIED IN THE LAND OF HIS FATHERS (Genesis 47:28-31)


Jacob knew that Egypt was not the Promised Land. He requested that his bones be taken to the Promised Land because he knew that one day, God will fulfill that promise; God will return His people to the Land. There was no "if" about this promise. He may not live to see it, but he knew it would happen, and he wanted to make sure his bones would be in the Promise Land when his people finally return to the Land.

Philippians 3:20
Hebrews 11:13-16
1 John 3:2-3
1 Corinthians 3:13-15
God is faithful. All the promises He has made, He has fulfilled it or will fulfill it. Knowing this, we therefore can trust in God’s promise. He tells us that when we are in Him, we will have eternal life. Thus, we do not need to fear death as long as we are in Him.


JACOB BLESSES JOSEPH’S SONS (Genesis 48)

Ephraim and Manasseh were the grandsons of Jacob's beloved, Rachel.

Jacob to Joseph: "I know, my son, I know. He (Manasseh) also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19)
Despite Jacob's loss of sight, we see here that he saw clearly for the first time in a very long while. No longer was he the Jacob that hid in obscurity, afraid to take a stand, even for his own family. Jacob's life trials have now come to an end, and he finally saw as clearly as God would have him see. And so, when Joseph thought his father misplaced his hand on the heads of his sons when giving his blessings, Jacob comforted Joseph, letting him know that he knew exactly what he was doing -- Passing down God's will to his descendants!


Some of the great people who came out of Ephraim:
1. Joshua
2. Samuel

Ephraim would become the most influential tribe in the Northern Kingdom.

Then Israel said to Joseph, "Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers" (Genesis 48:21)
God had not yet blessed Joseph the way he had blessed Jacob personally. Here, we see that Jacob therefore passed down God's blessing of the Promised Land to Joseph.


As mentioned above, there was no doubt in Jacob's mind that God will restore His people in the Promised Land. He knew it would only be a matter of time, and thus he passed down this blessing and comfort to Joseph.