Yes—Israel became a nation in Egypt, not before.
God promised Jacob, “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.” At that time Jacob’s family was only Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons. While in Egypt they multiplied into the twelve tribes and, by the exodus, numbered 5–7 million.
Genesis 46:3 — This verse records God’s direct promise that Israel would become a great nation in Egypt—the turning point Les highlights.
In Genesis 46, God spoke to Jacob at Beersheba and said, “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.” Before this, the family line was Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons. The twelve sons are the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. God’s promise shows that the nation was to grow into a great nation in Egypt, not in Canaan.
Les teaches that the nation of Israel did not exist as a nation before Jacob’s family went to Egypt. Up to that point it was just Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons with their children—still not much of a nation. When God told Jacob, “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation,” He was revealing where the nation would “begin to come into bloom.” Because Joseph had provided grain in Egypt and Jacob’s family was starving, they went down to Egypt. While there, the twelve families “exploded in population.” After approximately 215 years in Egypt, Moses led them out—a company of 5 to 7 million people. Thus, the nation of Israel originated in Egypt, and out of Jacob’s twelve sons came the twelve tribes that Moses led through the wilderness.
Joseph had risen to the top of Egypt’s government and had stored grain. When a severe famine struck, Jacob and his sons went to Egypt to get grain. God also told Jacob not to fear going down, saying He would make of him a great nation there.
Les teaches that the children of Israel were in Egypt for some 215 years, within the larger 430-year time span God had foretold from the call of Abraham. While Joseph was alive, the Israelites prospered in Goshen and multiplied.
According to Les, the nation of Israel began to “come into bloom” in Egypt. God’s promise to Jacob at Genesis 46 shows that the population growth would happen there. The twelve sons and their families exploded in population in Egypt, becoming the twelve tribes of Israel that Moses led out.
God’s Promise to Abraham: Understanding Genesis 12 & 15
Abraham in the flesh. But all right, verse 3 again in Romans 4, so that we get this completely locked down. For what saith the Scripture, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness, now to him that worketh. And remember, all the things that so many people think we have to do today to merit God's favor are works.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Twelve Sons
Les identifies Israel’s genealogical root: Abraham’s son Isaac, Isaac’s son Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons who become the twelve tribes.
Israel Begins to Bloom in Egypt
Les reads Genesis 46:3 as the key turning point: God promises Jacob that he will become a great nation in Egypt, not in Canaan.
Population Growth in Egypt
Les notes that after about 215 years in Egypt, Moses led out 5–7 million people, making Israel the largest nation in that part of the world at that time.
The 430-Year Timeline
Les places Jacob’s entry into Egypt in the middle of the 430-year time span God had foretold, with Israel prospering and multiplying while Joseph was alive.
From Twelve Sons to Twelve Tribes
Les explains that because of Joseph and the grain, the twelve sons moved to Egypt, then exploded in population and became the twelve tribes that Moses led out.
Moses Called to Lead Israel Out
Les shows Moses being called to lead the multiplied nation out of Egypt, with the purpose of preparing them for the coming of the Messiah.
Jacob’s Journey to Beersheba
Les sets the scene in Genesis 46: Jacob is starving in the Negev, and God speaks to him at Beersheba with a new command to go down to Egypt.
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:
This is the point where God reveals that Israel will become a great nation in Egypt.
No. According to Les, up to that time there were only Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons with their children—still not much of a nation. Israel became a large nation only after the family was in Egypt.
God told Jacob, “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation” (Genesis 46:3). Les says this is where Israel began to come into bloom.
Les estimates the company at anywhere from 5 to 7 million people, noting this made Israel the largest nation in the then-known world for that period.
The 12 sons of Jacob were the fathers of the families that went down to Egypt. In Egypt they exploded in population and became the 12 tribes of Israel that Moses led out.
Watch the Teaching: God’s Promise to Abraham: Understanding Genesis 12 & 15