All Along the Way

 

So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 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. 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.” 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. 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, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt. (Genesis 46:1-7 ESV).

 

As we turn to today’s reading and continue in the exploration of the topic of our ultimate and final home, we come to Jacob, who is now called Israel. He had reconciled with his brother, Esau, and was living back in Canaan (cf. Genesis 32-33). But after staying there for many years, he was on the move again. His son, Joseph, whom he had thought was dead (cf. Genesis 37), had become a ruler in Egypt. And there was a great famine in the land (cf. Genesis 41-45), so Jacob went to Egypt to live out the rest of his days.

 

This story helps us understand that each of us has been given a journey in life. That journey always ends in the destination of eternal life for believers. However, sometimes God moves us in unexpected and surprising ways. A new job opportunity comes our way. Our grown children move to a different part of the country, and we follow. Moving can be difficult: we leave behind what is familiar, and the new place we go—even if it’s exciting—is unknown and unpredictable.

 

Jacob spends time with God in worship on his way to Egypt. He needs to know that God will be with him, that God’s promises will be valid in this new place as well. He expresses his readiness to do whatever God tells him: “Here I am,” he says. And God promises to bring Jacob’s family back to their home in Canaan again. When we face unexpected opportunities in life, we should seek God’s will in worship and prayer. As followers of Christ walking in step with his Spirit, we are assured that the Lord will always be with us. Do not be deceived that life is only the journey. The destination is essential for our hope and encouragement through it all. So, we can journey with God’s promises—no matter where we go.