Scripture Reading: Genesis 46:1-34, Genesis 47:1-31, Genesis 48:1-22, Psalm 31:19
The events of Jacob’s life read like a sweeping, action-packed drama, filled with trickery, exile, chase scenes, horrible family dynamics, loss, famine, and the salvation of his family at the unlikely hands of his long-lost son, Joseph. In the end, Jacob finally laid eyes on the son who had paved the way for the survival of their entire family. It’s a warm ending to an epic story.
As his life drew to a close, Jacob acknowledged who is the ultimate driving force behind all that had happened—and it was not himself or Joseph. It was another, far better Shepherd. In his final earthly blessing of Joseph’s sons, Jacob says it was, “God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day….” (Genesis 48:15).
We see the theme of the shepherd highlighted throughout the passage. Ironically, it was the Egyptians’ loathing of shepherds that guaranteed the settlement of Israel’s family in Goshen. God’s chosen people were willing to do the job that the Egyptians despised. While the Egyptians looked down on shepherds, Jacob declared that it was God, the true Shepherd, who had loved, led, and delivered His people throughout all generations.
From the start, God’s care for people who were deemed lowly in society was evident. In due time, God elevated this unlikely family and kept His promises by making them a great nation. This story reminds us that God loves the ones whom society might despise. He is delighted to associate with the humble and weak. We are proof of this! If we truly understand this, then let’s be eager to show the same love.
What is crystal clear is that God is the great rescuer and deliverer of His people. This Shepherd regards not the self-sufficient and exalted but those who fear and take refuge in Him. The gospel tells us that the same astonishing goodness and protection is available for those who put their full trust in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The perfect candidate for God’s goodness is the one who knows their need for it. Let every day serve as an opportunity to acknowledge our need for Him.
Just as the Lord kept His promise of an inheritance to Jacob—that his people would one day return to their land—He will keep his promise to prepare a home for us as well. One where we will be reunited with Him in glory. Our eternal and unfading inheritance is not based on our merit or goodness but on Christ’s alone. All glory be to God, the One who shepherds us to this very day.
Written by Beverly Berrus
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47 thoughts on "Jacob Comes to Egypt"
Thank you to all who are praying for my daughter. I got to see her for a few minutes last night when we delivered supper, and it did me a world of good. She had a rough night last night following her treatment but is doing well today. She called today and shared more with me than she has since she was first diagnosed. I’m so proud of her for the strength and faith she is showing. And I know the many prayers being said for her are being answered each day. I feel so blessed.
I’m so thankful that He is my shepherd. I’m afraid that all too often I’m that one He has to leave the 99 to go chasing after.
“God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day….” (Genesis 48:15). This is such a beautiful verse, showing an intimate relationship. The Shepherd of our lives is not absent (He is in the spirit and unseen), He walks and leads us to green pastures. He also prunes us like a gardener and we are his vines to bear more fruits. Another point that really stood out to me is the switching hands of Jacob when blessing Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob intentionally reversed the customary order of blessing, placing his right hand (which signified the greater blessing) on the younger son, Ephraim, instead of the older son, Manasseh, signifying that Ephraim would receive a greater inheritance despite being the younger brother. I looked up, this act was understood as a prophetic gesture guided by God, not a mistake by the aging Jacob. Interesting eh. Joseph attempted to correct his father, he tried to reposition his sons to correct the error, but Jacob affirmed his intentional action. What does this tell us? God chooses whom He will choose. He will have mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, based on His own will and not on any merit or action by the recipient. The last will be first. Is it fair? The Bible also says this, to whom He gives much, He will also requires much. If someone is given a lot of responsibility, talent, or resources, they will be held to a higher standard and expected to use those gifts wisely; essentially, the more you receive, the more will be expected of you, we are held responsible for what we have, may it be wealth, knowledge, time, talents, it is expected that we benefit others and the Kingdom of God. This verse always gives me much relief and helps me out of the comparison trap. God is fair and merciful isn’t He. Glory be to God. Be blessed dear sisters.
That’s so good Mercy, and all the comments.
I had the epiphany a few years ago, that I was wasting away my days that God had so generously given me with aimless shopping/buying things, until I decided to use my days/time being about the Father’s business! I want be fruitful and wise, sharing the light, and serving for Him and His Glory!! I came to Florida to be a beach girl, and instead I am a God girl!! Putting faith into action!! (Although I can still be a beach girl to enjoy God’s beautiful creation and thank him for allowing me to be where I love! (heart!)).
There go Jacob & Joseph,
tussling over Manasseh & Ephraim,
even on the death bed!
Ah, Dear Shes
Whether first born or last born;
male or female;
shepard or servant;
famine or feast…
How wonderful to know.
We are each beloved & blessed.
Sheltered & saved.
Preserved & provided.
Isn’t that the beauty, goodness & truth
of the gospel?
Isn’t that the laying on of the only hands that matter?
Glory to the Father, Son & Holy Ghost.
“Our eternal and unfading inheritance is not based on our merit or goodness but on Christ’s alone. All glory be to God, the One who shepherds us to this very day.” Amen!
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What a glorious thought, that the same God that shepherded Jacob, shepherds us today.
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Have a blessed Thursday sweet She’s.
Love this! Ran out of time I’m already at work! Wednesday nights are a long night because of youth group and then we had a short staff meeting afterwards, which made it for a very late night for me. Praying for strength on very little sleep, but God is so good!
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I just love Psalm 31:19 How great is Your goodness, which You have prepared for those who reverently fear You, which You have prepared for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of man!
Believing that God is GOOD is so impactful and gives us so much hope. Believing that God has GOOD stored up and prepared for us lets us get thru any of the rough times we may experience. The assurance of His restoration, His provision, His great goodness should let us breathe in hope wherever we are.
Lead on Good Shepherd! There is a song by this name. My sweet husband loved it and had (maybe forced lol) one of our grandsons to listen to it on the way to work together. It was a difficult time for our grandson and my husband was pouring into him and planting seeds. We played the song at my husband’s funeral. Sigh.
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What a tender reflection….hugs Mia❤️
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Hugs Mia. ❤️
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What beautiful legacy and faithfulness Mia.
That is a great song by Pat Mayberry! Sounds like me making my grandkids listen to my songs I love and trying to plant those seeds, which it does I believe! What a great legacy to have of your husband in his ministry that was in all parts of his life!! I’m sure it’s been one of the toughest years of your life Faith, along with the loss of your beloved son. What a hope to know we will see our family again one day.
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He will keep his promise to prepare a home for us as well. These words bring so much comfort knowing God will bring us home to Him. Knowing my precious Tanner is already there.
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“This Shepherd regards not the self-sufficient and exalted but those who fear and take refuge in Him. The perfect candidate for God’s goodness is the one who knows their need for it. Let every day serve as an opportunity to acknowledge our need for Him.”
I love this reminder, that it is not my strength, but His. And taking refuge in Him. Powerful.
HRT pointed out that God promised Jacob, when he left Egypt, that He would one day bring them back. Quite a promise! But look at all they went through before that promise was fulfilled. Slaves in Egypt, wandering in the desert. It took a long time for this promise to finally happen, and they went through a lot of hardship until it did.
A great reminder that God is in control. He is there with us through it all. But waiting on the Lord, for His timing, is what we are called to do.
Amen
Interesting to me that God’s divine provision for Jacob and all his family members (children of Israel) is for them to leave the promised land of Canaan, live alongside pagan Egyptians (yet keep separate) and later become mistreated slaves of the Egyptians.
– I’m thinking we could spend months studying the book of Genesis …
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There’s a lot I don’t understand about Pharaoh wanting the Israelites to have the best land for raising sheep/cows, which were sacred in their pagan worship. They despised shepherds, yet worshipped the animals the shepherds cared for. Despised them, yet gave them the best land while knowing they were raising the animals for food and sacrifice. Clearly God’s plan, just curiosity on my part even after some research.
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Jacob, even in his weakened state, stood firm against Joseph in blessing the younger son as becoming the most powerful rather than the older son.
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TERESA DONLEY – such truth in the phrase ‘in sister fashion’ ! Thank you for the testimony of your daughter’s grief, followed by forgiveness.
GWINETH52 – thank you for pointing out Joseph’s forgiveness despite receiving no apology from the brothers.
MERCY – powerful words ‘perhaps the prison is from within’, thank you for a moving post
CEE GEE – sharing the definition of witness, so that we can God moving and providing!! Thank you ❤️
MARGARET W – thankful for your recovery and being able to join the mission trip. Praying for resolution of your son’s care and recovery for the caregiver’s health. I loved the way CEE GEE phrased her prayer for your situation yesterday.
CHERYL BLOW – thank you for the testimony of workplace forgiveness, that’s a sticky one
TAMI – what a moving testimony of forgiving yourself, leaving it at the altar. Too many times we lay down things temporarily, rather than trusting God to handle it and guide us
MARI V – praying for your daughter and her struggle with forgiveness
RHONDA J – so true ‘Oh Lord, we are a mess … help us, restore us’ – thank you. Praise for the grace shown to your nephew, and praying for him and your grandchildren going forward. Praying for Stacy in the reconciliation process with her daughter and also her need for a job and staying clean.
KELLY (NEO) – continuing to pray for the young mama and her needs for a job, housing, education/training
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CHRISTY, GWINETH52, CEE GEE, MERCY, TERESA DONLEY ❤️
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TRACI GENDRON & TAMI – how I say it and tone of voice … these characteristics have hounded me my whole life, from childhood on it’s been an ongoing struggle.
But it’s not just me. James 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
– praying, sisters, as we choose our words carefully.
Thank for sharing these verses. I love the beginning of James. It opened my eyes to my own behavior years ago.
Excellent post, SEARCHING! Yes, we could learn so much just focusing on Genesis and Exodus for an in depth study! We are studying Exodus in SS right now. I think that may shed some light on your question. I remember reading recently that the Israelites were told by God (part of the prep for their exodus) to plunder the Egyptians, taking clothing, gold, silver, etc.
Exodus 11:2
Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” 3.(Now the Lord had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel. And Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the Egyptian people alike.)
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Another reference was made to God using
ng this exodus to bring glory to Him.
Exodus 14:17-
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”
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Multiple interruptions as I was trying to get this posted, but I think I covered the gist of what I remember. ☺
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Thank you Searching for the recap, and joining you in prayers ❤️
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sisters. i come to you broken hearted and ashamed. my boyfriend of a little over a year and i had been living together most of our time together. he has moved out, and i am so so sad. i love him more than i’ve ever loved anyone, and while there is more to the story, he realized he couldn’t be the encouragement in my walk with god i need him to be. i had had the same fears, but ignored them. my love for him blinded me to so many things. although the is a good man, i know a relationship, then marriage, cannot last without the lord at the center. i want him to know jesus deeply and personally, regardless of me, but i also desperately want the lord to bring us back together.
if you all could please, please pray for comfort and peace for us both, that would mean more than you know. i am blessed to have godly friends who are letting me stay with them and have been gracious, forgiving, and are loving me through this.
Taylor, little sister❤️ – I would give you the biggest hug if I could. Praying as you seek a closer relationship with Jesus, and as you grieve the ending of this relationship. From my own experience, in truth – more than one, of being in relationships that were wrong in God’s eyes and wrongly justified in my own, being the one left most of the time – it was deep down heartbreaking and painful. Praying as your friends comfort you, as you seek guidance and wisdom from the Lord, for strength in taking the next right steps, for trusting God’s perfect plan.
Praying for him to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, to follow Him.
Taylor, dear sister, my heart breaks for you as I read your words this morning. May God give you His peace during this time of heartache and work in your life and in your boyfriends’s life as well. Sending you a big hug! ❤️
Oh Taylor, so glad to see you here, our little sister! I think of you often and wondered how you were. Usually we go quiet when we have something prioritizing our attention. I know we tell you often of how we ourselves fell into relationships when we were younger that we knew were not the “right” ones God had for us, or our walk with God got put on the back burner during it. They led to many more problems and heartaches. By choosing men ourselves, and not being equally yoked we can never really move at God’s pace because we are held back by the other or dragged another direction. Although it is hard and sad now…I promise you that God knows exactly the man that is to be “the one!” I know I’m not saying all this in good wording…to a sad, broken heart. sigh. We are praying for you, to stay close to the Lord, through your sorrow, but I AM hearing you say you know the truth. We, your older sisters, have been with you through the years and know your love and trust for the Lord, so I know…know, know He has a perfect plan for you his beloved daughter!
Praying for you, Taylor Hite. May God give you encouragement during this difficult time.
Taylor, I’m sorry for the heartache you are experiencing. May the Lord’s peace and comfort surround you, His strength be yours as you move forward and seek Him❤️
Praying for you, Taylor Hite. I have a nephew with your exact same name! Our Hite relatives live in South Carolina.
Hallelujah! Lead on, Good Shepherd!!
Amen
What a beautiful story. Amen.
1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2 We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3 Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.
4 Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
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MARGARET W – praising God that your healed up enough to go on a missions trip! Praying for provision for care for your son while you ate away.
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RHONDA J – great news about Stacey’s progress. Praying she stays encouraged to press in to Jesus and let Him lead in the repairing of relationships.
Thank you, Kelly, for reminding us of this beautiful hymn. ❤️
Love this old hymn! ❤️
Thank you! I miss singing hymns. Sang it all the way through.
Thank you for thr reminder of this hymn❤️
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Kelly (NEO) – I just saw your comment asking about my girl, from last week. I’ve been behind on this study! Thanks so much for asking. Not much to report positively, but I trust He is working in her and it will take some “real life” for her to see her need for Him.
She came out of the womb strong-willed, an “I can do it myself” kind of kid. And she knows the Gospel message, and doesn’t want to put God in charge of her life! She’s smart, hard-working, a talented actor, and a good person. We don’t have to worry about drugs/drinking/sex or anything. She also struggles with anxiety and we’ve found it to be related to brain wave/chemistry.
She turns 18 this weekend and we’ve agreed to let her stop coming to church with us, and she’s agreed to watch online with us, when we all stay home. Hard decision but seemed like fighting over forcing her to attend wasn’t going to open her heart the way we’d like.
It feels off even calling her a prodigal – she’s always been a skeptic, never made a profession of faith, though she used to go to church without complaint. And she’s not off living with the pigs after partying – she just chooses to not believe. :(
So, yes, anyone who would like to continue praying for a “heart of flesh” and removal of the scales from her eyes, much appreciated.
Amen