COME AS A CHILD LESSON 101 MOVING TO EGYPT

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Israel set out with all of his sons, wives, grandchildren, livestock and personal possessions to go to live in the land of Egypt where Joseph now lived.  When they reached Beersheba, Israel offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac.  It was there that God spoke to him in a night vision. 

“Jacob, Jacob!”

“Here I am.”

“I am God, the God of your father.  Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again.  And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

The journey was easier for Israel after this vision in the night.  He knew he was not going against God’s will by leaving the land of Canaan.  They traveled on in the carts that Pharaoh had sent them to travel in. 

The names of the sons of Israel and those who were with them are recorded in the book of Genesis.  They are mentioned specifically by name.  I have learned whenever this happens to listen up.  The names are recorded and proclaimed for some reason.   In a later lesson we will explore some of the possible reasons, as well as examine the prophetic significance of the story of Joseph.

The list was like this:

Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob.  The sons of Reuben:  Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.  

The sons of Simeon:  Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.

The sons of Levi:  Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

The sons of Judah:  Er, Orian, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan, as we discussed in an earlier lesson.)

The sons of Perez:  Hezron and Hamul.

The sons of Issachar:  Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron.

The sons of Zebulun:  Sered, Elon and Jahleel

It is mentioned that these were the sons that Leah had born to Jacob in Paddan-Aram, besides his daughter Dinah.  These sons and daughters of his were thirty three in all.

The sons of Gad:  Ephon, Haggi, Shuni, Exbon, Eri , Arodi and Areli. 

The sons of Asher:  Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah.  Their sister was Serah.

 

The sons of Beriah:  Heber and Malkiel.

These were the children of Jacob by Zilpah whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah.  Sixteen in all.

The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel:  Joseph and Benjamin.  In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

The sons of Benjamin:  Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.

These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob – fourteen in all.

The son of Dan:

Hushbim.

The sons of Naphtali:  Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.

These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel – seven in all.   

 I only thought I had a large family!  

Can you imagine all of these people gathering all of their belongings together and traveling to a land they were not accustomed to?  Not one decided not to go!  That within itself is a miracle.  Do you think if God told you to move unexpectedly that ALL of your relatives would just drop their lives and say "so be it" and pack their bags and move with you?  What are the chances? 

Sometimes families have to go places that they never dreamed they would have to go.  They must live among people who do not think, worship or live as they do.  They must learn to get along with everyone all the time, for the sake of the greater thing that God is working out.  When God says “go” it should not be questioned, only done.  It is a rare thing that a family will be this bound to one another, that they ALL would accept the consequences of obeying their father who has been listening to God’s will for them.   Perhaps they were all there as Jacob made the sacrifice in Beersheba and their hearts were moved by God to make the change.  They were all in one accord on this strange journey.   

The way this all came together was yet another miracle in the history of Israel’s life story. 

All those who went to Egypt with Jacob; his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives were numbered as sixty-six persons.  With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.  I'm still having trouble understanding this math....but that is what the scriptures says and I know the scriptures are accurate.  Yet another thing to sort out at the end of our story!

Perhaps they were rounding off whole numbers?  At any rate, how interesting to note that the scriptures record the number 70 and we know from reading more later that 70 nations came from the nation of Israel, a nation for each of the families that went up to Egypt following God’s will. 

So, Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to get directions to Goshen from Joseph.  When they all arrived in Goshen Joseph was there with his chariot.  He had been waiting for them.  As soon as Joseph appeared he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.  No doubt this was one of the greatest reunions ever experienced on earth.  Joseph was just the opposite of the prodigal's son.  Jacob had no reason to question Joseph's loyalty, honesty and integrity.  That had made the absence of Joseph unbearable for him.  The love between this father and son was very special and rare.

Finally, with much emotion in his voice, Israel spoke to his son:  “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”

Joseph told everyone that he would go up and speak to Pharaoh and say to him that his father and brothers have actually arrived and come to live with him!  He would tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds and tended to livestock, and they have brought all that they owned with them.  

Joseph explained to everyone that when Pharaoh called them in and asked:  ‘What is your occupation?’ they were to answer ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’  Then they would be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen; for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.   It seems that Goshen is set aside for less than desirable people of the nation.  This showed Joseph's humility and willingness to have the heart of a servant.  He would honor his employer and try not to disturb the Pharaoh with the happenings of his family.  He was just glad to have them with him.  Any place would do as long as Joseph could come to them in a short time and they had food and shelter.