Genesis 46.
Are you interested?
Perhaps you have read it many times.
Even so, perhaps it will be pleasant to hear from it again.
2 In a vision at night God called to Isra’el, “Ya‘akov! Ya‘akov!” He answered, “Here I am.”
So personal. GOD called him by name, his given name! Think about that. GOD called him by name, his first name, the name his momma and daddy named him. So personal. I have a strong appreciation for this. You, too?
3 He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt. It is there that I will make you into a great nation.
I am GOD! Just like that, I am GOD and not just any god but the GOD of your father – no mistake Who is talking to him.
And the first thing He said: Don’t be afraid. But not just any afraid, the specific afraid that Jacob was laboring under. Why do I think he was laboring under it? Because GOD addressed it. What was Jacob afraid of? Going to Egypt! Leaving his home. Going to a strange place with strange people and strange customs. And what else he didn’t even know that was strange there.
But GOD. But GOD made him a promise – I will make you into a great nation. What a promise! This promise means you will grow in this strange land you are going. You will be fruitful, you will multiply.
I see that as meaning you will have food, shelter, protection – your needs will be met. You will prosper in that strange land. Wow!
4 Not only will I go down with you to Egypt; but I will also bring you back here again, after Yosef has closed your eyes.”
And then He tells him you will die in that strange land – you will live the rest of your earthly days there but do not worry — I will bring you out even after you are dead.
You see, GOD TELLS THE TRUTH. We can always, forever and amen depend on GOD to tell us the TRUTH.
That is immeasurably comforting to me.
There is so much more here but that is all I have time to share this morning.
Well, one more thing: please note GOD told Jacob that HE would go WITH him to Egypt (and He would not leave him).
AWESOME GOD!
What else can we say but AWESOME GOD!
