Reflection: I will make you into a great nation
Further Reading: Genesis 46:1-47:12
We now see more clearly that, behind the story of Joseph’s life and its many twists and turns, God had a bigger plan which was being put in place. Israel (Jacob) is to take up the offer to relocate to Egypt, because it is there that God will fulfil the promise to make him and his offspring into a great nation. We read in verse 26 that the number of people to leave Canaan was 66 persons, not including daughters-in-law. To this were added Dinah, Joseph and his two sons, 70 in total would be the basis of the mighty nation God would grow in Egypt. Pharaoh himself had promised to give the ‘best of the land of Egypt… you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ (Genesis 45.18).
Jacob is an old man by now so it must have been a great surprise to him to live through this incredible turn of events. Looking forward, we know that by the time of Moses, the Israelites had grown into a large and fruitful people resented by the Egyptians.
God is a God who keeps his promises. As believers today, living in a context where the Christian faith is often derided and we are in the minority, it is easy to lose heart. But God has promised to be with us and invites us to share in his mission today. We need to keep praying that his kingdom will come, and his will be done in our lives and in his world.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)