Genesis 46:1 - 47:12

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Genesis 37:2 says “This is the account of Jacob” and then launches into the story of “Joseph, a young man of seventeen.” Now, almost ten chapters later, we see how it is Jacob's story. Genesis 46:1 “So Israel set out with all that was his...” Jacob was born in Canaan but went to his uncle in Haran to find a wife (two, actually) and run away from his angry brother, Esau. Years later he came back to settle in Canaan. On that trip, Jacob wrestles with a man who tells him “your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” (32:28) Now an old man, Jacob/Israel is moving to Egypt with his entire family.

Several important things happen for Jacob in this passage.

Jacob worships God.
“when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac” (46:1)
For all his faults, Jacob has a great strength: he is a worshipper of God.

God speaks to him.

“And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” (46:2)

Through all the weeks of our study in Genesis, this is the first time that the words of God speaking to someone are recorded. God tells Jacob who He is, “I am God, the God of your father” and what is to come. He encourages Jacob, “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes.” (46:3-4)

Jacob and all his descendents move to Egypt.
The Scripture lists Jacob's descendents who go with him to Egypt. (46:8-25)

Jacob and Joseph reunite.

“Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive." (46:29-30)
What an emotional scene! Jacob's grief is finally over. He has seen his beloved son alive and he is
at peace.

He meets and blesses Pharoah

Jacob is 130 years old and he meets the ruler of Egypt, the person who his family is now dependent on. Yet in the text, it is mentioned twice that Jacob blesses Pharoah. (47:7-10) There is a definite sense that Pharoah respects this patriarch.

We can only imagine how all these experiences impacted Jacob. His family has finally come together but they are not in the land God had promised to his grandfather Abraham. God has spoken and so he can trust that he is in the right place but this is a huge shift in the direction of the story of his life and people. Like his son, Joseph, it is an unexpected twist that God is going to use in a very great way when 400 years later He leads the people of Israel back to the Promised Land.