Title: Faithful God (Genesis 46:1-7)
Contents Jacob went on an errand and heard the news that his beloved son Joseph, whom he thought had only been killed by wild beasts, is alive. It also means that he has become the prime minister of Egypt, the largest empire at the time. It was only when I saw the various gifts and golden shackles that Joseph sent for my father that I realized that it was true.
His son Joseph said that if he came down to Egypt to escape from this extreme drought and famine, he would treat him with the utmost respect. However, I did not leave the Promised Land of poverty and had endured until now, but I was uneasy about whether this was God's will.
So, Jacob came to Beersheba and offered a sacrifice to God to ask whether this was God's will or not. Finally, you will meet the faithful God.
1. Jacob offering sacrifices (vs. 1-2)
Believing in God's promise to give Canaan to him and his descendants, Jacob did not leave Canaan, no matter how severe drought and famine afflicted him.
Surprisingly, however, there was an earnest invitation to come to Egypt to escape from this difficult famine and calamity for a while because his beloved son Joseph was still alive. He wasn't sure if this was God's will, but circumstances and circumstances made him leave Jacob. When I left, I was afraid of what might happen if it wasn't God's will. So they came to Beersheba and offered sacrifices to God in order to see God.
Am I not doing my work right now without knowing the will of God? Do I need to stop for a while and get God's approval? Asking God's will is the most basic human attitude that exists for the glory of God.
2. Hearing the voice of God (verses 3-4)
In the past, God had told Isaac not to go down to Egypt (Gen. 26:2), but now the time had come (Galatians 4:4), and he heard a comforting voice to Jacob not to be afraid to go down to Egypt. In the end, through God's voice, the conflict between not leaving Canaan, the promise of God in the past, and the reality of having to leave, was resolved. We can see from God's Word that our vision is too narrow.
We only see the problem. However, God has a wonderful plan with the problem. Jacob, who had left for Egypt because he did not know what to do in the face of the problem, came to Beersheba and was so anxious that he had to ask God. However, when he heard God's explanation and plan, Jacob's heart was greatly comforted. God is always by our side and guides us. That is why he is someone we can trust. The judgments and expectations of the world make us anxious. However, the Word of God always gives us kindness, encouragement, and guidance. Therefore, God's thoughts and our thoughts are different, and God's ways and our ways are different.
3. Jacob's determination (verses 5-7)
Jacob inquired of God and decided to go down to Egypt. Although he went down to Egypt, he was not breaking God's covenant because he would surely return to Canaan.
Therefore, when we have anxiety about the future, all we can do is listen to God's voice and understand His will.
<Conclusion>
Are you anxious about tomorrow? Don't be anxious alone! We should worship and ask the Lord who is always by our side and guides us. Then the Lord will guide you through the Word. If you wait with the attitude that you will not take even one step forward without the word of God, the Lord will answer you.