Ready to Die
Read This Week: Genesis 46
Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” – Genesis 46:28-30 NIV
Genesis 46 shows us the full circle of the journey of faith and fulfillment in Joseph’s family. It is a capitulating chapter in this section of Genesis and narrates Jacob’s trip to Egypt to reunite with his favored son Joseph, whom he thought was dead. One can feel the emotion, relief, and pure joy of Jacob as he travels and sees the son who once wore the coat of many colors and whom he had mourned for many years. This chapter is rich with the enduring themes of longsuffering, God’s guidance through tragic circumstances, family reconciliation, and the Lord’s promises coming to fruition when it seems like all is lost.
It begins with Jacob embarking on his flight from Canaan to Egypt. This move is not merely a geographical shift but a crucial step in the divine plan for the Israelites. Jacob highlights this section by offering sacrifices at Beersheba, a symbolic act of seeking God’s guidance and blessing. Verse 1 says that Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
Then God affirms Jacob and His covenant with him as He reveals His presence. God spoke in a vision at night and said, 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. God’s reassurance is crucial for Jacob. The promise of making Israel a great nation in Egypt aligns with the covenant God made with Abraham and Isaac. This assurance dispels Jacob’s fears, providing divine validation for his journey. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan in the lives of His children.
What happens next is one of the most emotional moments in Genesis. Jacob, overwhelmed with joy and relief, expresses his contentment and readiness for death now that he has seen his long-lost son, Joseph, alive.
Jacob said to Joseph in verse 30, now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive. Jacob’s life has been made complete by this recouping of his family and son. This reunion not only restores a broken family but also signifies the restoration of hope in repaired relationships and the tangible proof of God’s providence and mercy. It encourages us that if it can happen in such a dire situation as Jacob’s, restoration can occur in any circumstance we find ourselves in.
After the emotional reunion, Joseph instructs his family to settle in Goshen, a fertile region ideal for their livestock, and separate from the Egyptians. This separation is crucial for maintaining their identity and avoiding assimilation into Egyptian culture. Joseph also prepares his family for their audience with Pharaoh, ensuring they present themselves as shepherds, a profession despised by Egyptians, thus securing their stay in Goshen. He tells them in verses 33-34:
When Pharaoh calls you in and asks what your occupation is, you should answer, Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did. Then, you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.
The journey to Egypt and the subsequent events once again reinforces God’s control over history and His ability to turn terrible circumstances into the fulfillment of His promises. Jacob’s willingness to move to Egypt upon God’s command illustrates profound faith and obedience, a model for all of us to follow in our lives, especially in situations that appear unbearable and without the ability to navigate. The reunion of Jacob’s family, particularly the reconciliation with Joseph, displays mercy and healing past wounds that encourage us to seek the same on our journeys. Long-lasting relationships that have depth and value must come with a lot of forgiveness, understanding, and grace.
This chapter is one of transitions – geographic, emotional, and spiritual. It sets the stage for the Israelites’ eventual growth into a great nation within Egypt, aligning with God’s promises. Jacob’s journey to Egypt, under Father God’s guidance, and his reunion with Joseph are powerful reminders of God’s faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through our ordinary lives. It narrates historical events and provides profound theological insights into God’s nature and dealings with His chosen people. It shows us the present and how His love and grace are available today, as they were to Jacob and his broken family so many years ago.
Genesis 46
God wanted me to focus on verse 2:
2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
He said to me on this:
“When you are there for Me ready to embrace Me, then you are truly at peace. Be there and your life will be joyous.”
How do we succeed in life? We show up. The same goes with God. Primed, ready and vulnerable to Him will allow us to truly be free.
Genesis Chapter 46 Verse 1
So Israel made his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba [a place hallowed by sacred memories] and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
~Remember Your Roots~
God Is Saying To Me:
I have great plans for you all! I promise for you to be fertile and well taken care of but you must trust me. Never forget the path that has led you to your present. Honor me at every stage of your life and always know that I am bringing you out of the desert and taking you to places of freedom with me. My land produces prosperity and healing, so never forget the valleys you’ve gone through..
What This Means To Me:
1. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all have prayed and sacrificed to God in Beersheba. This is a sacred spot honoring God. We must also look back at our humble beginnings, recognizing our journey from death by sin to victory with God and honor him with Thanksgiving and praise.
2. God promised that a great nation will come from the lineage of Abraham. We are recipients of this promise. Also, always honor God in study, worship, praise and prayer so that our future pathway and journey with God will be consecrated and blessed by our Father God.
3. Go forth and move fearlessly. Trust God’s security and affirmation that. Yay, we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death but fear no evil. Transformation and victory wins with the presence of Jesus Christ.
4. The enemy may try to convince you that it’s too late to learn from study, worship and sacrifice of time but trust, understand and know that you may never learn all but you can learn something to make a difference. I need each one of you for the kingdom! ❤️❤️❤️
When you face challenges in life, do you tackle them alone, or do you navigate them with God by your side?
Making decisions with God and respecting those around you is a far better approach than being selfish and disregarding others.
There’s a clear distinction between the ways of the world and the ways of the kingdom of God.
I’m learning to follow the ways of the Lord and striving to apply them in my life. I’m discovering that this is a much better way to live.
1. When you go, go with God. Do it every day and always.
2. Honor the relationships that God gives you. Honor your elders and be considerate to others.
3. If you have disputes, seek to reconcile them and restore your relationships.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Genesis 46
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240526-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240526-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240526-Worship2.wav
Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect
This is what I got from God in Genesis 46. In this chapter I told Jacob that he should not be afraid to move his family to Egypt. I promised to continue to be with his family, and to make a great nation of Israel in Egypt. Joseph became the representative and the advocate for the whole family to come to safety in Egypt by going to Pharaoh. In the same way, the believer needs Jesus Christ to represent them. Jesus is our eternal representative and advocate, being the same yesterday, today, and forever. I had a place for My people. Jesus takes care of you in the present, but he’s gone to heaven to prepare a place for you, and will receive you to Himself. Just know that I am God; I am with you, and I am leading you and guiding you as you are seeking Me. You never have a reason to be afraid. Even if you have wasted a good portion of your life to sin, Israel showed that it is never too late to start living your life for Me. Today the sacrifices you make as a believer comes from your time, your talent, and your treasure. Out of gratitude My Son, Jesus Christ, wants you to make your life a living sacrifice for Him. I want you to live by faith, and not by sight. Trust Me in faith. I also call upon you to live in obedience to My word, and My guidance. I want you to have a transformed life. As a transformed believer, you are called upon to live as My light to the world.
What this said to me is God wants me to live a life set apart and holy for His use. I want to have a transformed life. I need to live my life for Jesus. God is leading me and guiding me. I have to live my life in obedience to Him. I want His light to shine brightly to others, so that they will want the light too.
Genesis46:1 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba [where both his father and grandfather had worshiped God], and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
I see Jacob (Israel) seeking God before he goes into Egypt, And he had his whole family there would a great example of seeking God with all your family.
Family is important to our father God. It’s important to father God that we’re teaching the people around us, seeing us seeking him in all that we do. Jacob had learned from his father and his grandfather about seeking God and the more we see him the more we, wanna know about him.
Thank you, father God for your love for us and you’re right here for us always all we have to do is seek you with our whole heart, knowing that you will lead us and guide us in the way that you want us to have great plans for us. Our hearts, want to know you more to seek you more and then be led by your Holy Spirit .
Love you Father God Jesus and your Holy Spirit❤️
The more I seek you
Kari Jobe
The more I seek you
The more I find you
The more I find you, the more I love you
I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand
I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming
The more I seek you
The more I find you
The more I find you, the more I love you
I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand
I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming
I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand
I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming, oh your love is overwhelming me
And now my love, your love is overwhelming me, over me
I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand
I melt in your peace
This week in Genesis chapter 46 I got a song
Children of the Lord
we are children of the Lord we are children of the Lord We are blessed blessed because we know our Lord is with us. His love is overwhelming. He has a perfect plan. A perfect plan for you and me so let’s honor our Lord doing things his way seeking and asking along our way holding hands walking together on our journey every day is a new day everyday Day is a new day with our Lord We are walking in peace, forgiving others the way our Lord forgave us we are children of Lord children, children of the Lord Lord Amen
Every day is a journey with our Lord when things become difficult. We need to talk and ask him what to do. He is a truth is the only way we have to just trust in him through all things. Amen.
This week in Genesis chapter 46 I got a song
Children of the Lord
we are children of the Lord we are children of the Lord We are blessed blessed because we know our Lord is with us. His love is overwhelming. He has a perfect plan. A perfect plan for you and me so let’s honor our Lord doing things his way seeking and asking along our way holding hands walking together on our journey every day is a new day everyday Day is a new day with our Lord We are walking in peace, forgiving others the way our Lord forgave us we are children of Lord children, children of the Lord Lord Amen
Every day is a journey with our Lord when things become difficult. We need to talk and ask him what to do. He is a truth is the only way we have to just trust in him through all things. Amen.