Genesis 46:4
I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph's own hands will close your eyes."
I will go down with you to Egypt
This phrase signifies God's personal involvement and presence with Jacob as he moves to Egypt. It reflects God's covenant faithfulness, as He reassures Jacob of His guidance and protection. The journey to Egypt is significant in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of Israel's sojourn in a foreign land, which eventually leads to their enslavement and the Exodus. This movement to Egypt fulfills God's earlier promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14, where He foretold that Abraham's descendants would be strangers in a land not their own. Theologically, this phrase emphasizes God's omnipresence and His commitment to His people, even in times of transition and uncertainty.

and I will surely bring you back.
This promise of return is a prophetic assurance of the eventual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It underscores God's sovereignty and His control over history, ensuring that His purposes for Israel will be fulfilled. The return is not just a physical journey but also a spiritual restoration to the Promised Land. This promise is fulfilled in the book of Exodus when God leads the Israelites out of Egypt through Moses. It also foreshadows the ultimate return and restoration of God's people, pointing to the eschatological hope found in the New Testament. Theologically, it highlights God's faithfulness to His promises and His redemptive plan for His people.

And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”
This phrase provides a personal and intimate assurance to Jacob regarding his death. It signifies that Joseph, his beloved son, will be present at his passing, offering comfort and closure. In the cultural context of the time, having a family member present at one's death was significant, symbolizing peace and fulfillment. Joseph's presence at Jacob's deathbed also reinforces the reconciliation and restoration of their relationship, which had been strained by years of separation. This moment can be seen as a type of Christ, where Joseph, a savior figure for his family, provides care and assurance, reflecting Christ's role as the ultimate comforter and redeemer.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob (Israel)
The patriarch of the Israelites, father of the twelve tribes. In this passage, God reassures him as he prepares to move to Egypt.

2. Egypt
The land where Jacob and his family are moving due to famine in Canaan. It becomes a place of both refuge and future bondage for the Israelites.

3. Joseph
Jacob's son, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to power in Egypt. He is the one who will "close Jacob's eyes," indicating his presence at Jacob's death.

4. God
The speaker in this verse, providing assurance and promise to Jacob.

5. The Journey to Egypt
A significant event in the history of Israel, marking the beginning of their sojourn in Egypt.
Teaching Points
God's Presence in Transition
Just as God promised to be with Jacob during his move to Egypt, He is with us in our life transitions. We can trust His presence and guidance.

Assurance of God's Promises
God's promise to bring Jacob back points to His faithfulness. We can rely on God's promises, knowing He will fulfill them in His timing.

Family and Legacy
Joseph's role in closing Jacob's eyes signifies the importance of family and legacy. We should consider how we are preparing the next generation to continue in faith.

Facing Death with Hope
The mention of Joseph closing Jacob's eyes suggests a peaceful death surrounded by loved ones. As believers, we can face death with hope, knowing God's promises extend beyond this life.

Trust in God's Plan
Jacob's journey to Egypt was part of a larger divine plan. We should trust that God is working through our circumstances for His greater purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's promise to Jacob in Genesis 46:4 provide comfort during times of change or uncertainty in your life?

2. In what ways can you see God's faithfulness in your own life, similar to His promise to bring Jacob back from Egypt?

3. How can you ensure that your family and legacy reflect a strong faith in God's promises, as seen in Jacob's relationship with Joseph?

4. What practical steps can you take to face life's transitions with the assurance of God's presence, as Jacob did?

5. How does understanding God's larger plan for Jacob and his family help you trust in God's plan for your own life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 28:15
God's promise to Jacob at Bethel, where He assures Jacob of His presence and eventual return to the land of Canaan, echoing the promise in Genesis 46:4.

Exodus 3:8
God's promise to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, fulfilling the assurance given to Jacob.

Hebrews 11:21
Jacob's faith is highlighted, showing his trust in God's promises even as he moved to Egypt.

Psalm 23:4
The assurance of God's presence in times of transition and uncertainty, similar to His promise to Jacob.

Matthew 28:20
Jesus' promise to be with His followers always, paralleling God's promise to Jacob.
Emigrate, But not Without GodW. M. Taylor, D. D.Genesis 46:1-7
God Speaking in the Visions of the NightR.A. Redford Genesis 46:1-7
Israel's Journey into EgyptH. T. Holmes.Genesis 46:1-7
The Family MigrationW. S. Smith, B. D.Genesis 46:1-7
The Migration of Jacob's House to EgyptT. H. Leale.Genesis 46:1-7
The Three MeetingsW. Roberts Genesis 46:1-4; 46:28-30; 47:7-10
Divine Assurance Vouchsafed to JacobA. M. Symington, D. D.Genesis 46:3-4
GuidanceJ.F. Montgomery Genesis 46:3, 4
People
Aram, Ard, Areli, Arodi, Asenath, Ashbel, Asher, Becher, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Beriah, Bilhah, Canaanitish, Carmi, Dan, Dinah, Egyptians, Ehi, Elon, Enoch, Er, Eri, Ezbon, Gad, Gera, Gershon, Guni, Haggai, Haggi, Hamul, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Huppim, Hushim, Imnah, Isaac, Ishuah, Issachar, Isui, Jachin, Jacob, Jahleel, Jahzeel, Jahziel, Jamin, Jashub, Jemuel, Jezer, Jimnah, Job, Joseph, Kohath, Laban, Leah, Levi, Malchiel, Manasseh, Merari, Muppim, Naaman, Naphtali, Ohad, Onan, Pallu, Perez, Phallu, Pharaoh, Pharez, Phuvah, Potipherah, Puah, Rachel, Reuben, Rosh, Sarah, Saul, Serah, Sered, Shaul, Shelah, Shillem, Shimron, Shuni, Simeon, Tola, Zarah, Zebulun, Zephon, Zerah, Zilpah, Ziphion, Zohar
Places
Beersheba, Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, On, Paddan-aram
Topics
Bring, Certainly, Close, Death, Egypt, Hands, Joseph, Joseph's, Surely
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 46:1-4

     5095   Jacob, life

Genesis 46:1-7

     8131   guidance, results

Genesis 46:2-4

     1469   visions

Genesis 46:4-6

     7212   exile

Library
Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
General. The writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their intrinsic merits, but by his historical position and influence. It has already been pointed out that he stands at the close of the old Græco-Roman civilisation: the last Roman poet of any repute, Claudian, and the last Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, died before him. Augustin survived him, but the other great Fathers, both in the East and in the West, had passed away before him. The sack of Rome by Alaric (410) and
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Four Shaping Centuries
'Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt: every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7, And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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