Women of the Word, March 31

Genesis Chapters 46-48


God told Jacob to leave his home and travel up into Egypt. Jacob was assured that God would go with him. This was a new concept in that God could "move away" and be mobile. Jacob and his descendants left Beersheba with all their wives, children and livestock. Seventy in all went to Egypt. The number seven is repeatedly seen often in many cultures. It implies "completeness".

We learn that all shepherds were normally detested by Egyptians so they would live separately from the Egyptians. Jacob and his family settled in Goshen in the northeastern part of Egypt.
There occurred a long famine and Joseph was able to sell food to the Egyptians and they in turn gave him their money and their livestock so they could eat. They even agreed to give Joseph their land and told him they would work for Pharoah. Joseph gave them seed to sow and told the people that when the crops came in, one-fifth should be given to Pharoah. The Israelites settled in Egypt, acquired property and increased their numbers by many.
Jacob called Joseph to him to tell him that God made a promise to him that Joseph would be very fruitful and have many descendants. Jacob blessed two of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (who had been born in Egypt.)
The greater blessing was given to the younger son, Ephraim, which was contrary to custom. This displeased Joseph but Jacob argued that Ephraim's descendants would be greater than Mannasseh's
We will see how racial purity will become so important as we read on.

Submitted by Vicky Steinwender