Genesis 46:5 Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him.
I had to double check yet again that Jacob and Israel are the same person. (They are.) Once again in today’s scripture, the names Jacob and Israel are both used, often in the same verse, to refer to the same person. What is the Lord trying to get me to see?
Genesis 46:6 So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan.
If I had to guess, it would be that I can be scared to pieces and still act in great faith. Jacob, Israel, is moving his entire family–every single person–to Egypt. If verse 5 is any indication (Jacob, Israel, Jacob), this was an incredible act of faith. There was a lot of Jacob’s fleshly humanity involved in this leap, but Israel still took the leap, even though Jacob was afraid.
Genesis 46:7 Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that I can act in Your name even when I am afraid. I can be afraid and still trust. Help me to work on trusting more and being less afraid, but as I work on that balance, help me to keep working for You. Amen.
Genesis 46:8 These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.
Have a blessed day.