Israel ended up in Egypt because Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to power there and invited his family to escape famine.
God orchestrated Joseph's descent into Egypt, where he stored grain during seven years of plenty. When famine struck Canaan, Jacob's sons went to Egypt for food and were reunited with Joseph, who invited the whole family to live in Goshen. This was part of God's sovereign plan, as He told Jacob not to fear going down to Egypt.
Genesis 46:3 — God directly tells Jacob not to fear going to Egypt, indicating it was part of His plan.
Genesis 45:9-11 — Joseph invites his father and brothers to come to Goshen to survive the famine.
The Bible records that the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt (Acts 7:9). God was with Joseph, giving him favor with Pharaoh, and made him governor over Egypt (Acts 7:10). When a dearth came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain (Acts 7:11-12). Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and told them to bring their father and all their families to live in the land of Goshen (Genesis 45:9-11). God spoke to Jacob in a vision, saying, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation' (Genesis 46:3). So Jacob and his household, numbering about seventy souls, went down to Egypt (Genesis 46:26-27). There they increased greatly, becoming a nation while in Egypt (Exodus 1:7).
Les Feldick emphasizes that the nation of Israel came into being through God's sovereign plan, beginning with Abraham's call and continuing through Isaac and Jacob. He points out that Joseph's brothers hated him and sold him into Egypt, but God used this for good. Joseph became the second most powerful man in Egypt and stored grain for a coming famine. When famine hit, the brothers had to go to Egypt for food, eventually leading to Jacob and the whole family moving there. Les highlights that God directly instructed Jacob not to fear going to Egypt, promising to make him a great nation there. He also notes that the 430-year period mentioned in Scripture includes 215 years from Abraham to Jacob's move, and the rest of the time in Egypt. Les stresses that Israel became a nation while in Egypt, growing from 70 souls to millions by the time of the Exodus.
Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers, but God was with him, and he became governor over Egypt. He stored grain during seven years of plenty to prepare for the famine. When famine hit Canaan, the brothers had to go to Egypt to buy grain, and eventually Joseph revealed himself and invited the whole family to come down.
God told Jacob in a vision, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.' This shows that the move to Egypt was part of God's sovereign plan, despite the promise of the land of Canaan.
Les notes that the 430-year period includes 215 years from Abraham to Jacob's move, and the remaining 215 years in Egypt. This is based on God's foretold timeline.
While in Egypt, Israel grew from about 70 souls to millions, becoming a nation. They lived in Goshen, a productive area near the Nile, and prospered. As long as Joseph lived, things went well for them.
From Genesis to Exodus: Understanding the Biblical Timeline of Israel
And for those of you who have missed everything since Genesis 1-1, we want you to know that all these programs are available on VCR. We have put 12 programs on one six -hour tape in which we can sell for $20, no gimmicks If you want a six -hour tape, just write to us or call us, and for $20, we'll send one to you. We'll stand the postage.
Joseph's Brothers Sell Him
Les shows that the brothers' hatred of Joseph led to his being sold into Egypt, setting the stage for the family's later move.
God's Promise to Jacob
Les emphasizes God's command to Jacob not to fear going to Egypt, promising to make a great nation of him there.
Famine Drives Brothers to Egypt
Les explains that the famine in Canaan forced Jacob's sons to go to Egypt for grain, fulfilling God's plan.
Joseph as a Type of Christ: The Hidden Prophecy in Genesis 37-46
Now if you ever wonder, where did the nation of Israel come from? There's your answer. It was when the twelve sons and all their wives and their children end up in Egypt because Joseph has the food. But also again, another thought we'd like to bring in, that when these brethren rejected all this, for all practical purposes, Israel now ends up in a place out of God's control or in a place of death …
Israel Becomes a Nation in Egypt
Les notes that in the 400+ years, Israel grew from 70 to millions, becoming a nation while in slavery.
The 430-Year Timeline
Les explains the 430-year period, with 215 years from Abraham to Jacob's move, and the rest in Egypt.
Jacob's Vision
Les recounts the vision where God tells Jacob to go to Egypt, reinforcing God's direct involvement.
Genesis 45:9-11: Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
Joseph invites his father to come to Egypt, indicating the family's move.
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:
God directly instructs Jacob not to fear, showing this was part of His plan.
Acts 7:9-11: And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
Stephen's speech recounts the story of Joseph and the famine, linking it to Israel's history.
Exodus 1:7: And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
Describes the growth of Israel in Egypt, fulfilling the promise of a great nation.
According to Scripture, they were moved with envy because Joseph was the favored son and had dreams of ruling over them. They intended to kill him but instead sold him to traders heading to Egypt, as noted in Acts 7:9.
Les Feldick teaches that the 430 years mentioned in Scripture includes 215 years from Abraham to Jacob's move into Egypt, and then 215 years in Egypt. This is based on the timeline he presents in his teaching.
Yes, Les emphasizes that God's sovereign plan included the move to Egypt. God told Jacob not to fear going down, promising to make him a great nation there (Genesis 46:3).
Watch the Teaching: From Genesis to Exodus: Understanding the Biblical Timeline of Israel