Where did the nation of Israel come from according to Genesis 46?
According to Genesis 46, the nation of Israel originated when Jacob, also called Israel, journeyed to Egypt with all his family. God spoke to him at Beersheba, telling him not to fear, for He would there in Egypt make of him a great nation. The twelve sons, their wives, and children settled in Egypt because Joseph had food.
Les explains that Genesis 46 records Jacob's journey to Beersheba, where he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel, saying, 'Jacob, Jacob,' and told him, 'I am God, the God of thy father. Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there in Egypt make of thee a great nation.' Les points out that if you ever wonder where the nation of Israel came from, there is the answer: it was when the twelve sons and all their wives and children ended up in Egypt because Joseph had the food. However, Les also notes that by going to Egypt, Israel ended up out of the land of promise, and for all practical purposes, God had lost His covenant people, setting the stage for Exodus as a book of redemption.