God allowed Jacob to go to Egypt because He had sovereignly arranged for Jacob's family to become a great nation there.
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 explains that this was a deliberate change from the earlier instruction to stay out of Egypt, and the famine was set up to bring the tribe down so that Israel could grow into a nation.
Genesis 46:3 — This is God's direct statement to Jacob explaining why he should not fear going to Egypt: God would make him a great nation there.
Genesis 26:2 — This earlier instruction to Isaac not to go to Egypt makes God's later permission to Jacob a significant change in direction.
Scripture records that God had earlier told Isaac, "Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of" (Genesis 26:2). But when Jacob reached Beersheba on his way to Egypt, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac, and God spoke to him in a night vision, saying, "Jacob, Jacob... 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" (Genesis 46:1-3). God also promised, "I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again" (Genesis 46:4). The Bible therefore presents Egypt as the place where God deliberately multiplied Jacob's family into a nation.
Les Feldick explains that God had repeatedly told Abraham and Isaac not to go into Egypt—and when they tried it, they got into trouble [Clip 4]. But in Genesis 46 God told Jacob not to be afraid to go down, because the famine was sovereignly set up to bring the whole tribe of Jacob into Egypt [Clip 6]. Les emphasizes God's promise, "I will there make of thee a great nation," and notes that this statement tells us where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom—it was in Egypt [Clip 7]. Jacob came down with about 70-some souls, and after 215 years in Egypt, Moses led out a company of 5 to 7 million people [Clips 1, 2, 4].
Les explains that God had been telling Abraham and Isaac not to go into Egypt—and when they tried it, they got into trouble [Clip 4]. But in God's sovereign plan, the instruction changed [Clip 5]. The famine was set up to bring the whole tribe of Jacob down [Clip 6], and God told Jacob, "Fear not to go down into Egypt" [Clips 1, 3]. The reason was not to punish Jacob but to make him a great nation in Egypt [Clip 7].
God promised Jacob, "I will there make of thee a great nation." Les emphasizes this statement reveals where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom—in Egypt [Clip 7]. The promise came after Jacob stopped at Beersheba and offered sacrifices to God [Clips 3, 6]. God also reassured Jacob by identifying Himself as "the God of thy father" and telling him not to fear going down [Clips 1, 3].
Les says Jacob's family entered Egypt with about "70-some souls" [Clip 2]. Over the next 215 years they multiplied until Moses led them out as a company of 5 to 7 million people [Clips 1, 4]. Les points out that the nation of Israel became a nation of people while in Egypt, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant in a practical way [Clips 0, 2].
Israel as a Distinct Nation
Les sets Genesis 46 in the context of God pulling a separate little nation out of idolatrous humanity through the Abrahamic covenant.
Promise of a Great Nation
God told Jacob not to fear going down to Egypt because He would make him a great nation there; Les notes they came out 215 years later with millions of souls.
Where the Nation of Israel Came From
Les shows that the nation of Israel came as a result of Joseph being rejected and sent ahead, then Jacob's family coming down to Egypt as 70-some souls and becoming a nation.
God's Reassurance at Beersheba
God used both names Jacob and Israel as He told Jacob not to fear going down into Egypt, because in Egypt He would make him a great nation.
A Change From the Earlier Instruction
Les contrasts the earlier instruction not to go into Egypt with God now telling Jacob not to be afraid, because Egypt was where Israel would become a great nation.
God's Sovereign Plan
Les notes that even though the promise was associated with staying in the land, God in His sovereign plan finally told Jacob to go on down into Egypt.
The Famine Was Set Up
Les explains the whole famine was set up to bring the tribe of Jacob down to Egypt, which is why God's command to Jacob differed from His command to Isaac.
Israel Began to Bloom in Egypt
Les emphasizes God's statement "I will there in Egypt make of thee a great nation" shows where the nation of Israel began to come into bloom—and it was in Egypt.
Genesis 26:2: And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
This verse shows the earlier instruction not to go to Egypt, making God's later permission to Jacob a clear change.
Genesis 46:1: And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
Jacob stopped at Beersheba to worship before completing his journey to Egypt.
Genesis 46:2: And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
God directly initiated a conversation with Jacob in a night vision.
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 key verse explaining why God allowed Jacob to go to Egypt.
Genesis 46:4: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
God promised His presence with Jacob and a future return from Egypt.
Yes. At Beersheba God appeared to Jacob in a night vision and said, "Fear not to go down into Egypt" (Genesis 46:3). God promised that in Egypt He would make Jacob a great nation [Clip 3].
Les Feldick says they spent 215 years in Egypt. After that time, Moses led them out as a company of anywhere from 5 to 7 million people [Clips 1, 4].
God had told Abraham and Isaac not to go to Egypt, but in God's sovereign plan the famine was set up to bring the whole tribe of Jacob down. In Egypt, God would make Israel a great nation [Clips 4, 6, 7].
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