Bible Class – Study #19 (Gen 46-47) – Notes and Discussion questions

Genesis Study #19: The reunification of Jacob’s family

Main passage of study: Gen 46:1 – 47:31

Related passages: Pt

A: Ge 15:1,13; 21:33; 26:25; 35:11

B: Ex 1:1-5; Dt 10:22; Ac 7:14

C: Ge 43:8, 32; 45:14, 28; Lu 2:29

D: Ge 45:10, 17-20; Ex 12:37; Eph 3:12; He 7:7

E: Ge 41:34; 50:20; Le 27:32; Ps 112:5; Pro 11:26

F: Ge 37:2; Ex 1:7; Ac 7:15-16

Outline & Notes

  1. The endorsement of Jacob’s decision– Gen 46:1-7
    1. The Lord’s promises – Gen 46:1-4
    2. The Lord’s pathway – Gen 46:5-7
  2. The enumeration of Jacob’s descendants– Gen 46:8-27
    1. The first wife’s sons (Leah) – Gen 46:8-15
    2. The first wife’s handmaid’s sons (Zilpah) – Gen 46:16-18
    3. The favoured wife’s sons (Rachel) – Gen 46:19-22
    4. The favoured wife’s handmaid’s sons (Bilhah) – Gen 46:23-25
    5. The final sum – Gen 46:26-27
  3. The end of Jacob’s desire – Gen 46:28-34
    1. A poignant meeting – Gen 46:28-30
    2. A pointed message – Gen 46:31-34
  1. Israel’s application to dwell in Egypt– Gen 47:1-12
    1. Israel’s introduction to Pharaoh – Gen 47:1-4
    2. Pharaoh’s instruction to Joseph – Gen 47:5-6
    3. Jacob’s interaction with Pharaoh – Gen 47:7-10
    4. Israel’s installation in Goshen – Gen 47:11-12
  2. Joseph’s administration through the dearth in Egypt– Gen 47:13-26
    1. Acquiring the cash of Egypt for Pharaoh – Gen 47:13-14
    2. Acquiring the cattle of Egypt for Pharaoh – Gen 47:15-17
    3. Acquiring the countryside of Egypt for Pharaoh – Gen 47:18-26`
  3. Jacob’s anticipation of his death in Egypt– Gen 47:27-31
    1. Israel’s increase – Gen 47:27-28
    2. Israel’s intention – Gen 47:29-31

These two chapters represent a crucial transition in the unfolding story as
Jacob’s entire family migrates out of the promised land into Egypt where
they will grow into a great nation. Jacob has seen the evidence and has
been convinced that Joseph is alive but before leaving the land of promise
with all of his household, he goes to Beersheba where the Lord graciously
confirms to him that the Lord will go with him down into Egypt and make his
descendants into a great nation which will one day return to the land. So
Jacob’s family makes their way down into Egypt where Jacob has an emotional
reunion with his beloved Joseph before meeting Pharaoh himself and settling
in the land of Goshen, to enjoy the best of the land of Egypt and to be
near to Joseph who ensures the care of his family and steers Egypt through
the desperate years of the famine, consolidating the possessions and the
power of Egypt with the throne of Pharaoh.

Textual notes

● Beersheba (Gen 46:1) was near the southern border of the promised
land (‘from Dan to Beersheba’) and so it was here that Jacob stopped on his
way to Egypt to worship the Lord and to get confirmation of the Lord’s will
before leaving the land.

● ‘Jacob Jacob’ in Gen 46:2 is one of 7 double calls in Scripture. Each
time, the Lord wants to get the individual’s attention in a particular way.
This is also the last (and 7th) time that we read of the Lord speaking
directly to Jacob.

● In the calculation of those who came into Egypt in ch.46, careful
attention must be paid to the specific wording that defines who these
individuals are that make up the totals, especially when compared with
other references in Scripture. It’s too complicated to get into all of the
details here but for an example, Gen 46:26 gives a total of 66 persons who
‘went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body’.
This would not include Joseph and his two sons (who were
already in Egypt) nor Jacob himself. However, Gen 46:27 gives a total of 70
persons ‘of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt’. This
total would include Joseph, his two sons and Jacob himself.

● The name Goshen means ‘drawing near’. Rameses (Gen 47:11) could be
another name for Goshen or possibly a larger region that included Goshen.

● Gen 47:27 contains the first reference in Scripture to Israel as a nation.

Discussion questions

1. God tells Jacob not to fear to go down to Egypt. Why do you think that
Jacob was afraid to go even after learning that Joseph was alive and in a
position of authority there?

2. How might we seek God’s direction today as Jacob did when faced with a
major life decision?

3. What lessons can we learn from the inclusion at this point in the story
of the various names of Jacob’s family who came into Egypt in chapter 46?

4. We have a total of 70 persons of Jacob’s house who came into Egypt given
in Gen 46:27. What other groups of 70 do we find in Scripture that may shed some light on the significance of this number here?

5. Judah is once again given a leadership role in the family at the end of
chapter 46 as he is sent ahead by Jacob to Joseph ahead of the arrival of
the whole family. What significance can we attach to Judah’s particular
role here?

6. In a sense, Jacob receives his beloved son back from the dead when he is reunited with Joseph at the end of chapter 46. What comparisons and
contrasts can we make between this event and the resurrection of Christ?

7. Joseph acts as an advocate and a means of access for his family before
Pharaoh. What connections can we make with the work of the Lord Jesus today on our behalf?

8. How might we interpret Jacob’s summary of his life before Pharaoh in
Gen 47:9?

9. Apart from being in “the best of the land”, how would being allowed to
settle in the land of Goshen be a blessing to Jacob’s family?

10. Should Joseph’s actions in administration through the famine be
considered overly harsh and austere? Was he taking advantage of the
desperate circumstances of the Egyptians to enrich Pharaoh?

11. What principles can we apply from the way in which Joseph managed
through the famine in Egypt?

12. Jacob indeed had many sorrows and troubles in his life but what do we
learn about his perspective at the end of his life from the end of Gen 47?