Good Morning.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. (Genesis 47:28)
As this chapter in Genesis comes to a close we see that Jacob lived 17 years in Egypt which is to say, in exile. We also know that, previously, he lived about 20 years in Syria — in exile — which means he lived about 110 years in Canaan. (Interestingly, Joseph was 17 when he was sold into Egypt lived to be 110 years old).
In those years he had endured many hardships: he had fled and overcome Esau. His daughter was violated and the fallout from that was very upsetting. He lost Joseph for many years and during the famine faced the prospect of losing other sons. Therefore when the Bible says, “and he lived,” it infers that life is bound to have its trials. Messiah told us that this was the case.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
The Apostle Paul made this observation:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35)
In both of these verses, the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word translated as “tribulation” means “distress, trouble.” Also this same Hebrew root is related to the word mitzrayim or “Egypt.” Thus we glean that, in this world, we will all have to go down into Egypt but that won’t separate us from Messiah. As the LORD had said unto Jacob — “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15), the Messiah has promised us:
“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Regardless of what the future holds for us while we are in this world, He will go through it with us. We shall live.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments