Genesis 46

"But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."" (Genesis 45:27-28, ESV)

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."" (Luke 2:28-32, ESV)

When do we ever reach the place on the journey of life, where we are truly content and satisfied?

"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." (Genesis 46:1-2a, ESV)

"Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." (Genesis 28:16, ESV)

There are 15 occasions throughout Scripture where God talks to someone by calling their name twice.

"Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."" (Genesis 22:11-12, ESV)

"And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."" (1 Samuel 3:10, ESV)

"O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"" (2 Samuel 18:33b, ESV)

"And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" (2 Kings 2:12a, ESV)

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." (Luke 22:31-32a, ESV)

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4b, ESV)

"Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"" (Matthew 27:46, ESV)

When someone’s name is mentioned back-to-back in Hebrew, it signifies deep, personal intimacy.

"On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’" (Matthew 7:22, ESV)

"And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (Matthew 7:23, ESV)

In the midst of Jacob’s fear, God speaks to him with a personal response.

"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."" (Genesis 46:3-4, ESV)

"Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt." (Genesis 46:5-7, ESV)

4 reasons God tells Jacob not to fear about going to Egypt:

1. "for there I will make you into a great nation." (Genesis 46:3b, ESV)

"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:2, ESV)

2. "I myself will go down with you to Egypt" (Genesis 46:4a, ESV)

3. "and I will also bring you up again" (Genesis 46:4b, ESV)

4. "Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes." (Genesis 46:4c, ESV)

"All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy. He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. 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." (Genesis 46:26-29, ESV)

"Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive."" (Genesis 46:30, ESV)

Through all his time in slavery, in prison, and living in a foreign land, Joseph’s greatest dream was fulfilled of being re-united with his father.

(SPACE)

After a similar period of grief, Jacob’s deepest dream was fulfilled as well.

Apart from our salvation, there is no greater satisfaction than the love we experience from our children and the love they experience from us.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV)