God's Assurance and Guidance
Genesis 46:2-4: And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: 'Jacob, Jacob!' He said. 'Here I am,' replied Jacob. 'I am God, the God of your father,' He said. 'Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.'
God reassures Jacob of His presence and promises, encouraging him to move forward without fear.

Obedience to God's Call
Jacob's immediate response to God's call demonstrates his faith and willingness to follow God's direction, even when it means leaving the land of promise.

The Importance of Family and Heritage
Genesis 46:8-27 lists the names of Jacob's descendants, emphasizing the significance of family and the continuation of God's covenant through generations.

God's Sovereignty in Fulfilling Promises
The move to Egypt is part of God's larger plan to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing His control over history and events.Trust in God's Promises
Like Jacob, we can trust that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

Responding to God's Call
Be attentive and responsive to God's guidance in your life, stepping out in faith when He calls you to new places or challenges.

Valuing Family and Legacy
Recognize the importance of family and the role it plays in God's plan, investing in relationships and passing down faith to future generations.

Recognizing God's Sovereignty
Acknowledge God's hand in the unfolding of events in your life, trusting that He is working all things for His purposes.1. Reuben
Jacob's firstborn son.
2. Hanoch
Son of Reuben.
3. Pallu
Son of Reuben.
4. Hezron
Son of Reuben.
5. Carmi
Son of Reuben.
6. Simeon
Jacob's second son.
7. Jemuel
Son of Simeon.
8. Jamin
Son of Simeon.
9. Ohad
Son of Simeon.
10. Jachin
Son of Simeon.
11. Zohar
Son of Simeon.
12. Shaul
Son of Simeon, born to a Canaanite woman.
13. Levi
Jacob's third son.
14. Gershon
Son of Levi.
15. Kohath
Son of Levi.
16. Merari
Son of Levi.
17. Judah
Jacob's fourth son.
18. Er
Son of Judah, who died in Canaan.
19. Onan
Son of Judah, who died in Canaan.
20. Shelah
Son of Judah.
21. Perez
Son of Judah.
22. Zerah
Son of Judah.
23. Hezron
Son of Perez.
24. Hamul
Son of Perez.
25. Issachar
Jacob's fifth son.
26. Tola
Son of Issachar.
27. Puah
Son of Issachar.
28. Jashub
Son of Issachar.
29. Shimron
Son of Issachar.
30. Zebulun
Jacob's sixth son.
31. Sered
Son of Zebulun.
32. Elon
Son of Zebulun.
33. Jahleel
Son of Zebulun.
34. Dinah
Daughter of Jacob, born to Leah.
35. Gad
Jacob's seventh son.
36. Ziphion
Son of Gad.
37. Haggi
Son of Gad.
38. Shuni
Son of Gad.
39. Ezbon
Son of Gad.
40. Eri
Son of Gad.
41. Arodi
Son of Gad.
42. Areli
Son of Gad.
43. Asher
Jacob's eighth son.
44. Imnah
Son of Asher.
45. Ishvah
Son of Asher.
46. Ishvi
Son of Asher.
47. Beriah
Son of Asher.
48. Serah
Daughter of Asher.
49. Heber
Son of Beriah.
50. Malchiel
Son of Beriah.
51. Joseph
Jacob's eleventh son, already in Egypt.
52. Manasseh
Son of Joseph, born in Egypt.
53. Ephraim
Son of Joseph, born in Egypt.
54. Benjamin
Jacob's twelfth son.
55. Bela
Son of Benjamin.
56. Becher
Son of Benjamin.
57. Ashbel
Son of Benjamin.
58. Gera
Son of Benjamin.
59. Naaman
Son of Benjamin.
60. Ehi
Son of Benjamin.
61. Rosh
Son of Benjamin.
62. Muppim
Son of Benjamin.
63. Huppim
Son of Benjamin.
64. Ard
Son of Benjamin.
65. Dan
Jacob's ninth son.
66. Hushim
Son of Dan.
67. Naphtali
Jacob's tenth son.
68. Jahzeel
Son of Naphtali.
69. Guni
Son of Naphtali.
70. Jezer
Son of Naphtali.
71. Shillem
Son of Naphtali.1. Canaan
This is the land where Jacob and his family were residing before their journey to Egypt. Canaan is often referred to as the Promised Land in the Bible, a region that encompasses modern-day Israel and surrounding areas. The Hebrew root for Canaan is "כְּנַעַן" (Kena'an), which is associated with the idea of being humbled or subdued.

2. Beersheba
Beersheba is a significant location in the southern part of Canaan. It is where Jacob offers sacrifices to God before continuing his journey to Egypt. The name Beersheba comes from the Hebrew "בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע" (Be'er Sheva), meaning "Well of the Oath" or "Well of Seven," referring to the oath made between Abraham and Abimelech in Genesis 21.

3. Egypt
Egypt is the destination of Jacob and his family. It is where Joseph, Jacob's son, has risen to power and where the family will find refuge during the famine. The Hebrew term for Egypt is "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim), which is often associated with the idea of a place of distress or confinement, reflecting the later enslavement of the Israelites.1. Jacob's Journey to Egypt Begins
Jacob sets out for Egypt with all that he has. The Hebrew word used for "set out" (נָסַע, nasa) implies a significant departure or journey, indicating the importance of this move (Genesis 46:1).

2. Sacrifices at Beersheba
Jacob offers sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac at Beersheba. The act of offering sacrifices (זָבַח, zavach) signifies worship and seeking divine guidance (Genesis 46:1).

3. God Speaks to Israel in Visions
God speaks to Jacob in visions of the night, reassuring him not to fear going down to Egypt, as He will make him a great nation there. The Hebrew term for "visions" (מַרְאָה, mar'ah) indicates a divine revelation (Genesis 46:2-3).

4. Promise of God's Presence
God promises to go down with Jacob to Egypt and to bring him back again, affirming His continual presence and faithfulness (Genesis 46:4).

5. Jacob's Family Travels to Egypt
Jacob's sons carry him, their children, and their wives in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to transport him. This movement of the entire family signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to preserve them (Genesis 46:5-7).

6. List of Jacob's Descendants
The chapter provides a detailed genealogy of Jacob's descendants who went to Egypt, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant with Abraham's lineage (Genesis 46:8-27).

7. Reunion with Joseph
Jacob sends Judah ahead to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. Joseph prepares his chariot and goes to Goshen to meet his father, leading to an emotional reunion (Genesis 46:28-29).

8. Joseph's Plan for His Family
Joseph instructs his brothers on how to speak to Pharaoh, advising them to emphasize their occupation as shepherds, which would allow them to settle in Goshen, a region suitable for their livestock (Genesis 46:31-34). God's Faithfulness
Hebrews 10:23: Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

Obedience and Faith
Hebrews 11:8: By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.

God's Sovereignty
Romans 8:28: And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.Pray for a heart that trusts in God's promises and His timing.
Ask for the courage to respond obediently to God's call, even when it requires stepping into the unknown.
Seek God's wisdom in valuing and nurturing family relationships, ensuring a legacy of faith.
Praise God for His sovereignty and control over all aspects of life, resting in His perfect plan.

1. What is the significance of Israel offering sacrifices at Beersheba before his journey to Egypt?

2. How does God assure Jacob about his journey to Egypt?

3. What significance does the detailed genealogical account in this chapter hold for the overall biblical narrative?

4. How does the reunion of Jacob and Joseph illustrate the theme of restoration and reconciliation in the Bible?

5. What do you think Jacob's statement, "Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!" signify about his feelings and thoughts?

6. How does Joseph guide his family to present themselves before Pharaoh? Why does he give them these instructions?

7. How does Jacob's journey to Egypt relate to the theme of migration in the Bible?

8. Discuss the concept of divine guidance and assurance exemplified in this chapter.

9. In what ways does Jacob's family's journey from Canaan to Egypt foreshadow the later Israelite exodus from Egypt?

10. How might Jacob's obedience to God's command to move to Egypt inspire believers today facing significant life changes?

11. What can we learn from Joseph's strategic preparation for his family's introduction to Pharaoh?

12. How does the large number of Jacob's descendants travelling to Egypt foreshadow the growth of the nation of Israel?

13. Why was it important to keep the genealogical record of Israel's descendants?

14. How would you handle being in a new land and culture as Jacob's family was in Egypt?

15. How does Jacob's faith in God's promises guide him through this significant change in his life?

16. What does the unity of Jacob's family during their move to Egypt teach us about family bonds and solidarity during challenging times?

17. How might Jacob's readiness to die in peace after seeing Joseph inspire us in terms of closure and contentment in life?

18. What does this chapter teach about the impact of our occupations and societal perceptions on our lives, as seen in Joseph's advice to his family?

19. How can we apply Joseph's wisdom in guiding his family through an unfamiliar environment in our own lives?

20. How do the themes of divine guidance and provision in this chapter encourage us in our personal faith journeys?