So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (46:1–4)
I have researched why, after God changes Jacob’s name to Israel, we see both names being used rather interchangeably in the Scriptures. The experts don’t seem to know. So, leaving that aside, we can note that God kindly appears to Jacob (Israel) as the latter worships/offers sacrifices to Him, and reassures Jacob, saying that He will make him a great nation, will go down to Egypt with him, will bring him back again, and that his long-lost son, Joseph, will be with him when he dies.
God keeps His promises. We go through various difficulties in life, but God keeps His promises. And one of His precious promises is that He is with us. That is something to hold on to and to remember.
Prayer: Thank you, God, that in the good times and the bad, You are with me. Your Word never fails. Although it may take a while, I will see Your kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” (Genesis 46:29 – 31).
What an emotional time after all they (and especially Joseph) had been through. God is faithful.
Think about the times God has been faithful to you and thank Him for them.
