GENESIS 46

Verse 1 The unusual verb “journey”signals the beginning of another nomadic existence for the Jews.

Verse 2 There is an exact verbal parallel to this conversation during Abraham's testing by God (binding of Isaac). It may hint that there is another test that will end up with a happy conclusion. God calls him by his old name – since his old nature still reigned?

Verse 3 Look at the roundabout way God fulfills his promises; they become a great people far away from the land they were then living in and would eventually return to. Reason? To avoid becoming tainted with pagan ideas until they were strong enough to conquer the land?

Verse 4 This teaches the important theological point that God is not limited to a particular geographical area. Barnhouse: “Our Lord is God of the round trip.”

Verse 8 The first six words are identical to the first six words in the Book of Exodus, showing continuity of God's promise.

Verse 27 It is hard to make the list come to exactly 70, but the importance of the number is more symbolic (7 x 10). See Acts 7:14. This may include children and grandchildren of Joseph.

Verse 28 It is now clear that Judah is considered the oldest son in terms of the promise.

Verse 29 indicates that Joseph was in too much hurry to wait for others to do his work for him. Contrast this with why Joseph did not try to contact his father earlier. “Presented himself” is only used earlier in Genesis to announce a theophany. It may have been used here since Joseph was like one appearing from the dead.

Verses 31-34 Joseph acts very carefully in wording his request to Pharaoh so as not to antagonize him (good advice regarding our interactions with those in authority over us). Granting of this request would provide that his family would not be unduly influenced by a pagan culture, but presented so as to indicate that the opposite was the intent.

Shading the truth? Again we see an example of acting wise as serpents but gentle as doves.

Verse 34 This is a little puzzling since pharaoh had his own flocks (see 47:6). It probably indicates that shepherds were considered inferior to city dwellers and agricultural workers (confirmed in extrabiblical sources).