His Word Today

²⁷ Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. ²⁸ And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. ²⁹ And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, ³⁰ but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” ³¹ And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.” (Genesis 47:27–31 (ESV)

Joseph’s extended family from Canaan settled in the land called Goshen, located in Egypt. Moses recorded in today’s text that they gained possessions, were fruitful and multiplied greatly. Additionally, Joseph’s father Jacob lived another seventeen years in Egypt until the age of 147.

Moses recorded that it was following those seventeen years, that Jacob’s life neared its end. The time came for him to die. When Jacob’s death loomed near, he met with his favorite son Joseph.

Jacob said to Joseph, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.”

Hebrew custom dictated that to place one’s hand under another individual’s thigh indicated a solemn vow to fulfill the desire of that individual. By putting his hand under Jacob’s thigh Joseph promised to carry out his father’s wishes. See Gen. 24:1-9.

It was then that Jacob told Joseph to swear to him that he would fulfill this request. To swear meant that Joseph would solemnly take an oath, promise and pledge that he would carry out Jacob’s command.

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “In having Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan (Gen. 47:29–31), Jacob confirmed his belief that God would bring Him out of Egypt (46:4). By faith he looked to the day when Yahweh would keep His promise in its totality, and he knew blessing would come upon his people if they would trust in God’s abundant grace and obey His commands in the Promised Land (28:10–17; Deut. 30:1–10). Burial there manifested Jacob’s trust in God for such blessing even in death. In the light of the full witness of Scripture, we know this abundant life prefigured in Canaan comes after the grave when believers are raised to live in a new Promised Land — a new earth free from the curse of evil (Rev. 21).”

The confidence Jacob had typifies the trust, commitment, dependence believers today have in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In these uncertain days on earth, we may have confidence in the Ancient of Days for eternity. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

²³ “Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have this day bought you and your land for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. ²⁴ And at the harvests you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.” ²⁵ And they said, “You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh.” ²⁶ So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt, and it stands to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh’s. ²⁷ Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.” (Genesis 47:23–27 (ESV)

The Hebrew word for servant is abadim. It means advisor, official, minister and finally, slave. However, the Egyptian people do not perceive Joseph to be a slave master but rather a savior due to his fiscal policies during the famine. They exclaimed, “You have saved our lives.” The people understood that Joseph had not enriched himself at the people’s expense.

One author writes, “In Joseph’s day, slaves were more like modern-day employees who have signed a contract of employment, and the master was akin to a self-employed person who has certain freedoms not shared by the contractual worker. Of course, good business owners today also have more concerns than their workers, for they must labor hard to keep people employed. Likewise, the slave owner bore a greater burden than the slave. The pharaoh is enriched under Joseph, but he must also supply seed and make sure everyone has enough to eat.”

In writing this account of Israel’s life under the administration of Joseph, Moses wanted the people of the Exodus to realize that life in Egypt had not always been difficult for their ancestors. It was there that the LORD providentially allowed them to gain possessions, to be fruitful and to increase in population. This was the same LORD who would lead the people from Egypt back to the land of Canaan.

Much like when he was a teenager caring for father’s flocks (Gen. 37:1-5). Joseph was a shepherd to the people of Israel. He evidenced the same care, leadership, love and affection for the people of Egypt. While saving the people from physical death, He typified the Lord Jesus Christ who saves His people from spiritual death (John 10:11-18).

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “So God blessed His people according to the promises He made to Abraham. They were fast becoming a great nation. Moreover, God blessed Pharaoh because he had blessed the seed of Abraham with the best of Egypt. Later in the time of Moses, when another Pharaoh oppressed Israel, God dealt harshly with the Egyptians.”  

God kept His promises to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). The LORD keeps His promises today. He is trustworthy, dependable and worthy of worship. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹³ Now there was no food in all the land, for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine. ¹⁴ And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, in exchange for the grain that they bought. And Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. ¹⁵ And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our money is gone.” ¹⁶ And Joseph answered, “Give your livestock, and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock, if your money is gone.” ¹⁷ So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds, and the donkeys. He supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. ¹⁸ And when that year was ended, they came to him the following year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent. The herds of livestock are my lord’s. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. ¹⁹ Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate.” ²⁰ So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for all the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe on them. The land became Pharaoh’s. ²¹ As for the people, he made servants of them from one end of Egypt to the other. ²² Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their land.” (Genesis 47:13–22 (ESV)

It may be easy to forget that in the immediate aftermath of Joseph’s reunion with his family there remained five years of famine in the land (Gen. 45:1-6). Joseph still had a lot of work to do. His leadership skills from the LORD would be sorely tested.

It is also easy for most of us to begin tasks and projects. It is another thing entirely to complete those undertakings with the same enthusiasm and excellence with which we started. The fervor we possessed at the beginning of a job may lapse into fatigue before we are finished.

Believers in Christ should remember the perspective we are to have when undertaking a project or doing our job at work. Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV) says, “²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”

To work heartily means that all we do is for the LORD and should be done with our entire soul and spirit. This is how God works, how Joseph worked and how we are to work.

One author writes, “This work to save the land of the Nile shows how wickedly ungrateful it was for another pharaoh to enslave Joseph’s family (Ex. 1:8–14). From beginning to end, all blessings are from the Lord. The Egyptians prospered when they treated God’s chosen well and heeded the wisdom He gave through Abraham’s sons. In Moses’ day, Egypt suffered because she ceased to bless the Lord’s people (Ex. 7–14).”

We may not have control over the ultimate results of the work we do and the projects we accomplish. However, in what we are responsible for may the LORD find us faithful to honor and glorify Him in the effort.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “According to John Calvin and Matthew Henry, the famine and relief described in today’s passage remind us that we live and die at God’s mercy. It is easy to forget that we live, move, and have our being in the Lord (Acts 17:28) and that we must be grateful to Him for every blessing in our lives. When we forget Him, as a later pharaoh reveals, we cannot be surprised if we suffer the consequences. Offer thanks to God for the many specific blessings in your life today.”

Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

“So Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan. They are now in the land of Goshen.” ² And from among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh. ³ Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were.” ⁴ They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. And now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” ⁵ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. ⁶ The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.” (Genesis 47:1–6 (ESV)

Even though Joseph was the governor or viceroy of Egypt, he was careful to follow protocol with respect to his family from Canaan. Even though he planned on them settling in Goshen (Gen. 46:28-34), he wanted to make sure it was agreeable to Pharaoh.

Therefore, Joseph arranged for five of his brothers to have an audience with the king of Egypt. This was after Joseph had met with Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan. They are now in the land of Goshen.”

Genesis 47:3-4 says, “³ Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were.” ⁴ They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. And now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”

A key word in this dialogue is sojourn. It means to live as a stranger, to be a guest, or to be in a place. This dwelling is with a focus that one is living as a guest or stranger in a place, whether a territory, city, or house (Gen.12:20). You sense that Jacob and his family did not plan on dwelling in Egypt for over 400 years (Gen. 15:13-16; Ex. 12:40; Acts 7:6; Gal. 3:17). However, this is what the LORD had told Abraham. The LORD had other plans (Proverbs 16:9).

Unlike the Pharaoh of the Exodus (Ex. 1-2), this Pharaoh was gracious and generous to Joseph’s family. He told Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. ⁶ The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The pharaoh graciously grants the requests of Jacob’s family and even puts them in charge of his livestock (vv. 5–6), establishing Jacob and his sons as court officials and thereby investing them with legal rights and protection. Incidentally, this turn of events corroborates what is known about ancient Egyptian civilization, again demonstrating Scripture’s trustworthiness. A later pharaoh, Rameses III, employed over 3,200 foreigners as overseers of his vast herds of cattle and other animals.”

Dr. Sproul concludes, “Believers do often enjoy positions of safety and privilege in cultures that do not trust the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. When Christians engage the government responsibly, blessing often ensues as seen here and in other passages such as Nehemiah 1:1–2:8. Yet our security does not rest in the government, for as the pharaoh shows us, ruling authorities can turn on the church even if she has benefited the society (Ex. 1:8–22). Let us not be terrified or taken off guard should this happen. Our sworn allegiance is to Christ’s kingdom, which is not of this world (John 18:36), and to that realm alone do we owe unqualified submission.”

1 Peter 2:11–12 (ESV) says, “¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Have a blessed day as we seek to live and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Joseph was the instrument God used to dispense bread to the world in time of famine. Likewise Jesus is the “Bread of Life” who dispenses the True bread for the life of people from every tribe, tongue, people and nation (John 6:35, Rev. 5:9).”

The Bible is literature. It contains various parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, adjective, adverbs, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, and participles. The Bible also contains various figures of speech such direct comparison, metaphors, and indirect comparisons, similes. Another example of a figure of speech is known as typology or a type.

Typology, (Gk. typos, ‘seal-impression’), is a way of setting forth the biblical history of salvation so that some of its earlier persons or phases are seen as anticipations of later persons or phases. In other words, an Old Testament person, place, or thing correspondingly foreshadows, or prefigures, a later and greater fulfillment found in the New Testament.

While there are many Old Testament examples of typology, Joseph is a prime example from the Book of Genesis. Joseph prefigures in several ways the New Testament fulfillment of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

To begin with, Joseph was a shepherd (Gen. 37:1-2. This prefigures Jesus’ identity and work as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 27-29). Joseph’s father, Jacob, dearly loved him (Gen. 37:3). God the Father dearly loved God the Son and called Him His beloved Son (Matt. 3:17; Eph. 1:6). Joseph’s brother hated him (Gen. 37:4). So it was that the Jewish people, and Jesus’ own siblings, did not receive and believe in Him (John 1:9-11; 7:1-4).

Additionally, Joseph’s father, Jacob, sent him to his brothers (Gen. 37:13-14). God the Father sent Jesus, God the Son, to His brothers (Heb. 2:10-18). Joseph’s brother plotted to harm him (Gen. 37:20). The Jews plotted to kill Jesus (John 11:45-53; 13:1-11). Joseph’s brother stripped him of his robe, or tunic (Gen. 37:23. The Romans stripped Jesus of His robe (John 19:23-24).

The Midian traders took Joseph to Egypt (37:26). Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Egypt (Matt. 2:14-15; Hosea 11:1).  Joseph’s brother sold him to the Midianites for the price of a slave (Gen. 37:28). Judas agreed to betray Jesus for the price of a slave (Matt. 26:14-16). Joseph endured temptation (Gen. 39:1-7). Jesus endured temptation (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).

Joseph encountered false accusations (Gen. 39:16-18). Jesus encountered the same (Matt. 26:59-60). Joseph experienced arrest and chains (Gen. 39:20). Jesus experienced the same (Matt. 27:1-2). Joseph was in prison with two other prisoners (Gen. 40:1-3). The Romans crucified Jesus with two other prisoners (Luke 23:32).

Joseph experienced the joy of being exalted following his suffering (Gen. 41:41). So too did Jesus (Phil. 2:9-11). Both Joseph and Jesus were thirty years old at the beginning of their public ministry (Gen. 41:46; Luke 3:23). It is recorded that both of them wept (Gen. 42:24; 45:1-2, 14, 15; 46:29; John 11:35).

Both Joseph and Jesus forgave those who wronged them (Gen. 45:1-15; Luke 23:34). They both saved the nation of Israel: Joseph physically (Gen. 45:7), and Jesus spiritually (Matt. 1:21). Finally, what men did to hurt them, God the Father turned to good (Gen. 50:20; I Cor. 2:7-8).

“One day God would send another Prince, a young Prince whose heart would break. Like Joseph, he would leave his home and his Father. His brothers would hate him and want him dead. He would be sold for pieces of silver. He would be punished even though he had done nothing wrong. But God would use everything that happened to this young Prince – even the bad things – to do something good: to forgive the sins of the whole world.”  – Sally Lloyd-Jones, the Jesus Story Book Bible

Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2022. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Nine. Of The Lord’s Supper. Part Two.

3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants;^a but to none who are not then present in the congregation.^b

a. Mat 26:26-28 and Mark 14:22-24 and Luke 22:19-20 with 1 Cor 11:23-27. • b. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:20.

4. Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any other, alone;^a as likewise the denial of the cup to the people;^b worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.^c

a. 1 Cor 10:6. • b. Mark 4:23; 1 Cor 11:25-29. • c. Mat 15:9.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

The His Word Today Podcast begins June 1, Soli deo Gloria!

²⁸ “He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. ²⁹ Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. ³⁰ Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” (Genesis 46:28–30 (ESV)

My wife and I earlier this year spent a week with our son, his wife and their family in Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful time, especially the opportunity we both had to be with our four grandchildren. We do not see them that often in person, so when we do the reunion is always sweet.

Imagine what it must have been like for Jacob to reunite with his beloved son Joseph after two decades of being apart. Remember, Jacob during that time thought Joseph had died. His grief and sorrow never really dissipated. In fact, his grief for Joseph drove him to fear for the life of his youngest son, Benjamin. It influenced initial decisions he made.

However, Jacob and his entire family were now journeying to Egypt, where Jacob would finally reunite with his long lost son. Imagine the anticipation in the patriarch’s heart. Imagine the anticipations in Joseph’s heart to reunite with his father following his reunion with his brothers.

Jacob sent Judah on ahead. Judah became responsible to show his family the way to the Land of Goshen. At the same time, Joseph prepared his chariot in order to meet his father and his extended family.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Having paused to list the names of those sons of Jacob who came into Egypt at Joseph’s request, Moses now describes the first encounter between Jacob and Joseph in over two decades (Gen. 37:2; 41:46–54; 45:6). We see that Joseph “prepared his chariot” to meet with his father (46:29), an easily omitted detail that Moses included in order to remind readers of Joseph’s magnificent status and therefore, his gracious forgiveness of those who hated him. He had the power to do otherwise, but Joseph was kind to his repentant brothers, showing us how God’s people repay evil with good.”

Romans 12:14-21 says, “¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

When Jacob and Joseph did reunite, their reunion was sweet. It involved weeping and embracing for a good while. Following this, Jacob said, ““Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.”

One author states, “After joyful tears and embraces, Jacob said he could die in peace after reuniting with Joseph (Gen. 46:30). The patriarch had been convinced that he would restlessly mourn Joseph’s death all the way to his own grave (37:29–35), but he could face his end with confidence and hope after seeing his son alive. Christians have a similar experience today. Figuratively speaking, Joseph died and rose again in Jacob’s eyes. We now know the One greater than Joseph who was literally resurrected. Thus, we can face death with peace (1 Peter 1:3). It is fitting that Jacob sent Judah ahead to lead him to Joseph (46:28) since he was the one who initiated the events that caused Joseph’s absence in the first place (37:26–28). We can also see here a faint picture of Christ, for while Jesus never sinfully sold His kin into slavery, He was also sent by the Father to reunite the Almighty with His people (John 3:16).”

Take time today to contact a relative or friend who you have not seen for some time. Is the relationship in need of repair? Take the opportunity to contact that person and if possible restore and rekindle the relationship. If there is unrepentant sin, pray for a forgiving spirit, whether for yourself or someone else.

Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

The His Word Today Podcast begins June 1, Soli deo Gloria!

²⁶ “All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. ²⁷ And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.” (Genesis 46:26–27 (ESV)

Moses provided a summarization of the extensive number of Jacob’s family (Gen. 46:8-25). This was organized by the number of his sons; twelve.   

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “This catalog of sons closes the patriarchal period and forms a transition to the exodus from Egypt ((Ex. 1:1-7). The list includes the sons and grandsons of Jacob (some of whom were born in Egypt) through his various wives and concubines, although his daughters and granddaughters, except for Dinah (Gen. 46:15), and Serah (Gen. 46:17) are omitted. Thus the list is designed to culminate in the significant number seventy (Gen. 46:27) to show both God’s blessing on the family and to anticipate their further expansion into a great nation.”

However, there are sceptics who would point to Acts 7:14 where Stephen stated that the number of people belonging to Jacob’s family numbered seventy-five. They would cite this as an example that the Bible contains contradictions or errors. How do we explain this discrepancy?

Dr. John MacArthur states, “Jacob, Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephraim should be added to the 66. The 75 of Acts 7:14 included an additional five people, born in the land, which were added in the (Septuagint (LXX) reading of Gen. 46:8–27 (cf. Ex. 1:5; Deut. 10:22). These five included two sons of Manasseh, two sons of Ephraim, and one grandson of the latter. Genesis 46:26–27; Ex. 1:5; Deut. 10:22 give the figure as 70. However the LXX (the Greek translation of the OT, which as a Hellenist Stephen would have used) in Gen. 46:27 reads “seventy-five.” The additional five people were Joseph’s descendants born in Egypt.”

The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. Such variations occasionally occur and we do not always have the information to explain them. We should also take note from today’s text that Jacob’s sons’ wives were not included in the list (Gen. 46:26).

The number seventy is symbolically significant in the Scriptures. The senate of the Israelites composed of seventy elders (Ex. 24:1, 9; Num. 11:16, 24, 25). Jesus sent out seventy disciples (Luke 10:1–17). The Jews were in captivity in Babylon seventy years (Jer. 25:11, 12; 29:10; Dan. 9:2; Zech. 1:12; 7:5). Seventy weeks were prophesied in the vision of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27). Even the human lifespan is said to be seventy years (Ps. 90:10). Therefore, Moses represented Jacob’s family by the symbolic number seventy signifying a large and complete number.  

One author explains, “Today’s passage lists the seventy descendants that went down into Egypt with Jacob (46:27), a number of offspring far greater than Abraham and Isaac knew personally. Some of Benjamin’s sons listed in verse 21 are really his grandsons (Num. 26:38–41) and were not yet born when Jacob went into Egypt. This shows that the number of seventy should be understood as a general number.”

“Moses numbers Jacob’s family at seventy after telling us that sixty-six descendants traveled with him to the land of the Nile (46:27). This is not a contradiction, Moses is using two different numbers for two different purposes. Sixty-six persons journeyed with Jacob to Egypt, but seventy of his household settled in that country including Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Moses recorded the number seventy, which is often associated with completeness in Scripture, to teach a lesson. Having seventy of Jacob’s house in Egypt tells successive generations how God kept His promise to Abraham that the full number of Israelites would settle there (15:13).”

The seventy plus members of Jacob’s family became six hundred thousand men in Egypt, besides women and children (Ex. 12:37). God truly keep His promise to Abraham and Isaac (Gen.12:1-3; 13:14-16; 22:17; 26:4). He will also keep His promises to us today.

Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

The His Word Today Podcast begins June 1, Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. ⁶ They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, ⁷ his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.” (Genesis 46:5–7 (ESV)

Following his offering to God at Beersheba (Gen. 46:1-4), Jacob and his entire family set out for Egypt. The twenty two year separation between Jacob and his beloved son Joseph was about to end.

Jacob rode in one of the wagons Joseph provided for the journey. Unlike Joseph’s journey to Egypt as a slave of the Midianite traders (Gen. 37:28), Jacob traveled as an honorable patriarch. In other words, he traveled in a manner befitting his position. Not only Jacob, but the little ones and the wives also traveled in the Egyptian wagons. Pharaoh’s generosity was put to good use.

Along with Jacob’s family, livestock and goods were also brought to Egypt. Everything Jacob and his family owned were towed along with them. All which God had blessed Jacob with was brought. In effect, Jacob and his family left Canaan behind them and ventured to Egypt before them.

One commentator writes, “Jacob has a new vigor once God sends him into the land of the Nile. While Jacob was certainly encouraged by God’s word, it must be admitted that today’s passage primarily emphasizes Jacob’s frailty. He is elderly — nearly 130 years old (Gen. 47:9) — and must be carried by his sons in the wagons the pharaoh has provided (Gen. 46:5–7). This reality is a striking reminder that God’s promises are not achieved by human effort. Jacob, who wrestled the Lord to a standstill (Gen. 32:22–32), cannot by himself go to Egypt where he will be made into a great nation. God must guide him there providentially, directing the events that bring Joseph to power so that Jacob can stay there safely. Truly, the Lord’s will is accomplished by His Spirit, not our might or power (Zech. 4:6).”

Dr. Jon Walvoord writes, “God had told Isaac not to go to Egypt (Gen. 26:2), but now He told Jacob to go. This vision, which comforted the patriarch, would also encourage the nation of Israel when Moses would exhort them to leave the land of Egypt and return to Canaan to receive God’s promises.”

Like Jacob, when will we believe the power of God is where He says it is; in His Word and by the Holy Spirit. Though our efforts are important, our cleverness, position or reputation in the culture does not grow the Lord’s kingdom. We must learn to depend upon the Holy Spirit just as Jacob did. We must seek to obediently follow the directions and commands of God’s Word in our everyday lives. Only then will our impact be profound and lasting and result in God being glorified.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!  

The His Word Today Podcast begins June 1, Soli deo Gloria!

“So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ² And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” ³ Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. ⁴ I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:1-4 ESV)

The LORD gave Jacob the name Israel when Jacob wrestled with God (Gen. 32:22-28). The name Israel means “He strives with God” or “God strives.” To strive means to persist and to persevere. The name’s meaning not only applies to Jacob but also to his descendants.

As Jacob and his family began their journey to Egypt, they came to Beersheba. It was there that they offered sacrifices to Elohim, the One, and True God. Elohim was not only the God of Jacob’s father Isaac, but also his grandfather Abraham.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains, “Beersheba is the Scriptural designation for the southern extremity of the Promised Land, located 28 miles (45.1 kilometers) southwest of Hebron. It was an important Negev site at an early time. Hagar wandered with Ishmael in this area, as did Abraham. Later Isaac (Gen 26:23) and Jacob (46:1) both had significant spiritual experiences there, and later yet it was important in the lives of numerous other Hebrews.”

Why did Jacob stop in Beersheba as he and his family traveled to Egypt? One author speculates, “He (Jacob) needed a word from the Lord to make him move. That Jacob would seek direct confirmation for his move to Egypt is not surprising given his family history. After all, Canaan was to be the inheritance of Abraham’s descendants (Gen. 12:1–9), and trouble usually followed the patriarchs and their kin when they moved outside the borders of the Promised Land (Gen. 12:10–20; 19:1–22, 30–38; 29:1–30). To leave Canaan might be a signal of unbelief, and this is why Jacob stops at Beersheba to seek Yahweh’s face. Beersheba was Isaac’s home (26:23–25), and Jacob’s sacrifice there to “the God of his father Isaac” (46:1), is proof that he aligns himself with the promises of land and offspring Yahweh made to his fathers, demonstrating that he has faith and has not forgotten the Lord’s solemn word.”  

It was at Beersheba that the LORD once again spoke to Jacob, as He had in the past (Gen.28:10-17; 32:22-28). The LORD did so in visions of the night. He called out to Jacob by name. The LORD said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. ⁴ I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

The promise God made to Jacob in today’s text reiterates the promise the LORD gave Jacob when he was a young man (Genesis 28:10–17 (ESV). Notice how often the personal pronoun “I” is used. God assured Jacob that He, Elohim, was the self-existent God also known as Yahweh. He alone was the Mighty One. He alone would make Jacob and his family into a great nation. God also promised that not only would He personally go down with them to Egypt, but also that He would bring them back to the Promised Land. Finally, God told Jacob that he would die in Egypt in the presence of his son, Joseph, but his body would be returned to Canaan.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “Without question, then, the move to Egypt is vital to the Lord’s plan. There, Jacob’s family will grow into a great nation that God will later redeem for His glory (Gen. 46:3). Our Father graciously assures Jacob of His presence, and so the patriarch knows all will take place as God has said (v. 4).  Jacob is also told that he will one day be brought up again from Egypt. Ultimately, this looks forward to the resurrection when Jacob, in body and spirit, will be restored to life to rule over Canaan and, indeed, over the new heavens and earth (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 5:5).”

Puritan commentator Matthew Henry writes, “Whatever low or dark valley we are called into at any time, we may be confident, if God goes down with us into it, that he will surely bring us up again. If he goes with us down to death, he will surely bring us up again to glory.”

Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

The His Word Today Podcast begins June 1, Soli deo Gloria!