The Genesis [Series ] Lesson 68 Chapter 46-48 PLEASE READ A Jewish proverb says, For the ignorant, old age is as winter; but for the learned, it is a harvest. Jacob was now 130 years old; and during those years, he had learned many important lessons about God, himself, and other people, especially his sons. Some of those lessons in the school of life had been difficult to learn, and Jacob hadnt always passed every test successfully. But now, thanks to Gods goodness and Josephs faithfulness, Jacob would reap a rich harvest in Egypt during the next seventeen years. His closing years wouldnt bring winter with its cold and storms. Jacobs sunset years would be as the autumn, with the warm golden sunshine of peace and the bounties of Gods gracious harvest. In these verses we learn (46:1-3) Change is something most elderly people fear and resist, and we cant blame them. Familiar surroundings and furnishings, and the presence of family and longtime friends, all give older folks a feeling of confidence and control that makes life feel safer and happier. Jacob had lived with his family in Hebron for many years, but now the time had come for all of them to move. Gods promise (vv. 1-4). Jacob and his family left Hebron (37:14) and traveled for about a week until they came to Beersheba, the southernmost town in Canaan. Beersheba was a very special place to Jacob, for there Abraham had dug a well (Gen. 21:30) and there Abraham lived after offering Isaac on Mount Moriah (22: 19). Isaac had also lived at Beersheba (26;23, 32-33), and it was from the home in Beersheba that Jacob left for Labans house to find a wife. At Beersheba, God had appeared to Hagar (21:17) and to Isaac (26:23-24), and now He would appear to Jacob. Since Jacob was about to leave his own land and go into a strange country, he paused to build an altar and worship the Lord. Its good to ask for Gods special help and blessing when were about to enter a new phase in life. I recall seeing an entire family come to the front of the church at the close of a worship service and kneel to pray. Since the father was in the armed forces and was being transferred to another base, the whole family joined him in committing themselves to the Lord for this new venture. But why should Jacob worry about going to Egypt? Didnt his son Joseph instruct him to come? Wasnt it the wisest thing to do in light of the continued famine in the land? Perhaps Jacob was fearful because he remembered that his grandfather Abraham had gotten into serious trouble by going to Egypt And when Jacobs father Isaac started toward Egypt, the Lord stopped him (26:1-2). Egypt could be a dangerous place for one of Gods pilgrims. But the Lord came to Jacob at night and assured him that it was safe for him and his family to relocate. Jacob, Jacob! reminds us of Abraham, Abraham (22:11), Samuel, Samuel (1 Sam. 3:10), Martha. Martha (Luke 10:41), and Saul, Saul (Acts 9;4). Its encouraging to know that the Lord knows our names and our personal needs . Jehovah wanted to remind Jacob that He wasnt limited to the land of Canaan, for Hes the Lord of all the earth, including Egypt. God would go with Jacob to Egypt and be with him to bless him, just as He had been with Joseph and blessed him Jacob had nothing to fear, because the Lord would keep the promises He had made to him at Bethel. So what is the problem when God promises these things he always does as he promises.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 01:47:24 +0000
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