Israel became a nation in Egypt, where Jacob's 12 sons and their families multiplied into a great nation before Moses led them out.
God promised Abraham He would make of him a great nation (Genesis 12:2), and repeated that promise to Jacob with the words, 'I will there make of thee a great nation' in Egypt (Genesis 46:3). Les Feldick teaches that this statement shows where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom — about 70 souls went down to Egypt, and over roughly 400 years Israel became a nation of people. The covenant also included a land and a coming king, since a nation without government falls into anarchy.
Genesis 46:3 — God's direct promise to Jacob that He would make him a great nation in Egypt — the key verse Les points to for where Israel became a nation.
Genesis 12:2 — God's original promise to Abraham that He would make of him a great nation, which is the starting point for Israel's origin.
God promised Abraham, 'I will make of thee a great nation' (Genesis 12:2). God repeated that promise to Jacob, saying, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation' (Genesis 46:3). The book of Judges describes the anarchy that resulted when Israel had no functioning government: 'In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes' (Judges 21:25).
Les Feldick teaches that the nation of Israel began when God called Abram out of the midst of idolatry and told him right up front, 'I'm going to make of you a nation of people' (Clips 2, 4). The covenant promise passed from Abraham to Isaac, then to Jacob, and then to Jacob's 12 sons, who ended up in Egypt because of Joseph (Clip 7). Les points to Genesis 46:3 — 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation' — as the statement showing where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom (Clips 3, 6). Only about 70 souls went down, and over the next 400 years Israel became a nation of people in Egypt (Clip 3). While there, the 12 sons exploded in population and became the 12 tribes of Israel, which Moses led out of Egypt supernaturally and Joshua later led into the land (Clips 2, 7). Les also stresses that the Abrahamic covenant had three parts: a nation of people, a geographical area of land, and a government in the person of a king. Without government there is anarchy, exactly what the book of Judges describes; Israel, however, rejected their king when they crucified and killed him (Clips 1, 5).
In Genesis 46:3 God told Jacob, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.' Les Feldick emphasizes that this statement tells us where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom — it was in Egypt. Up until that time there were only Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which was still not much of a nation.
Les Feldick describes the Abrahamic covenant as having three parts: a nation of people, a geographical area of land, and a government in the person of a king. He says common sense tells you that a nation of people cannot operate as a society without government — that leaves only anarchy, which is what the last verse of Judges describes. Israel was not set up as a democracy; it was to be a monarchy under their promised king.
Les traces the line: Abraham received the covenant promise, then Isaac, then Jacob, then the 12 sons — one of whom was Joseph. Because of Joseph and the grain, the whole family ended up in Egypt. There they exploded in population, and the 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel. After the nation was formed, Moses led them through the wilderness and Joshua led them into the land.
Les teaches that Israel was meant to be the channel through which salvation would go back to the whole mainstream of humanity. But Israel rejected all that when they crucified and killed their king. Even today, Les notes, rabbinic writers in Israel are still looking for their Messiah, the one who will bring the nation.
Israel Still Looking for Messiah
Les observes that even today, rabbinic writers in Israel are looking for the Messiah who will bring the nation — context for Israel's rejection of their promised king.
The Covenant's Third Part: Government
A nation of people cannot operate as a society without government; the covenant included a coming king because without leadership you have anarchy.
Supernatural Origin of the Nation
God supernaturally called Abraham out of Ur and promised a nation; He fulfilled that with Isaac, then Jacob's sons in Egypt, then brought them out by miracles under Moses.
A Great Nation Made in Egypt
God told Jacob, 'I will there make of thee a great nation.' About 70 souls went to Egypt; over the next 400 years Israel became a nation of people.
Abraham Called Out of Idolatry
The whole human race was steeped in paganism when God revealed Himself to Abram, who had potential for faith, and called him to the land of Canaan — the beginning of Israel.
The Abrahamic Covenant's Purpose
God called out one man to make a little nation, to prepare them and take salvation back to humanity; the covenant promised a people, a land, and a king — but Israel rejected their king.
Where the Nation Began to Bloom
This statement in Genesis 46 shows the nation of Israel began to come into bloom in Egypt — God promised to make Jacob a great nation there.
From 12 Sons to 12 Tribes
The 12 sons of Jacob became the 12 tribes of Israel while in Egypt, exploding in population; Moses led them out and Joshua led them into the land.
Genesis 12:2: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
God's foundational promise to Abraham that out of him would come a great nation — the starting point Les cites for Israel's origin.
Genesis 46:3: And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
The verse God used to tell Jacob the nation would be made in Egypt — Les's key evidence for where Israel became a nation.
Judges 21:25: In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Scripture's picture of anarchy when Israel had no government — the reason the covenant included a king.
God told Jacob, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation' (Genesis 46:3). Les Feldick emphasizes that this shows the nation of Israel began to come into bloom in Egypt, where Jacob's 12 sons and their families multiplied.
Les Feldick notes that about 70 souls went down into Egypt, and over the next 400 years Israel became a nation of people. While in Egypt, the descendants of the 12 sons exploded in population and became the 12 tribes of Israel.
Les teaches the Abrahamic covenant had three parts: a nation of people, a geographical area of land, and a coming king and government. He says a society without government descends into anarchy, just as the book of Judges describes.
Les teaches that Israel rejected all the covenant promises when they crucified their king. Even today, he notes, rabbinic writers in Israel are still looking for the Messiah who will bring the nation.
Watch the Teaching: Why the New Testament Starts With Abraham — Matthew 1:1 Explained