The Journey - Pt. 4

 

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).

 

Jacob, who was now called Israel, 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.

 

Our journey has been a series of often unexpected moves. Sometimes God moves us in unexpected and surprising ways. In our life it has been the result of a new ministry opportunity; or, our grown children move to a different part of the country, and we follow. The result is often bittersweet. We leave behind what is familiar, and the new place we go, even if it’s exciting, is unknown and unpredictable.

 

In our reading today 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 would do well to seek God’s will in wise counsel and prayer. Regardless, however, we are always assured that the Lord will always be with us. So, we can journey with God’s promises, no matter where we go. I’ve found this truth so comforting as I’ve grown older and health issues have become more common. It has shown me this is just God getting me ready for my final moving day! He will make that day as easy as possible because of what Jesus has already done on my behalf!