Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Genesis 46 before reading the devotional below.
Recall that God gave Jacob a new name not long ago: Israel. Certainly we are all familiar with that name as the country of Israel is in existence today. In this chapter foundational history is described, with all of Israel’s sons later becoming the twelve tribes. Later on in the Bible the Promised Land is divided into space for twelve tribes, with Joseph’s two sons each getting a portion and the tribe of Levi being designated as priests without their own land.
Jacob and Joseph finally get to reunite, and Jacob’s dreams are fulfilled. He now feels he can die in peace. He’ll have a bit more to say before he dies, but now he and his family will settle in Egypt. The end of this chapter is fascinating and foreboding as Jacob tells Joseph to talk to Pharaoh about how the family raises livestock. He wants to gain a large amount of land suitable for animals, but he says that “Egyptians hate shepherds.” (Spoiler alert: after a few generations the Israelites will be enslaved by the Egyptians. Maybe don’t lead with ways they could hate you.)
Here’s your freedom for today:
What happens today sets up your tomorrow.
In both good and bad ways, what you do today will shape what happens in your future. God was at work in saving Jacob’s family from dying in a famine, but that move to Egypt sets the stage for 400 years of slavery. Ultimately, that may have served God’s greater plan of keeping his people alive. But I wonder what would have happened if Joseph asked to be released from his position and rejoin his family, taking food stores with them and coming back for more if needed. Had Joseph gotten too comfortable in a lavish lifestyle after living in poverty so many years? He didn’t think twice about having his family move to Egypt rather than going back to be in his homeland again. I’m not sure there’s a right or wrong answer here, but it does show that our decisions shape our future. Make your choices carefully and prayerfully.