What did Israel become while they were in Egypt?
While in Egypt, Israel became a nation of people. This happened during the 430-year period God had foretold, with 215 years elapsed from Abraham's call and 215 years remaining. As long as Joseph was alive, they prospered in Goshen, multiplied, and grew.
Les explains that when the brethren sold Joseph into Egypt, all twelve sons ended up there because of their sin, and God lost control of His covenant people. He would have to buy them back, yet this was all in His sovereign plan. Israel ended up in Egypt, and while there they became a nation of people. Les points out they were in the middle of the 430-year span God had foretold, with 215 years elapsed from Abraham's call until Jacob went down, leaving 215 years. While Joseph lived, everything went well for the Israelites; they had it good in Goshen, the best productive area near the Nile, and they prospered and multiplied.