God told Jacob to go down to Egypt because He would make Israel a great nation there.
At Beersheba, God told Jacob, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.' Les Feldick explains that this reversed the earlier instruction to Isaac not to go into Egypt, because Egypt was the place where Israel would multiply from about 70 souls into a nation of millions before Moses led them out.
Genesis 46:3 — This is the direct divine command to Jacob: fear not to go down into Egypt, for God will make him a great nation there.
In Genesis 26, the LORD appeared to Isaac and said, 'Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.' Canaan was the land of promise, connected to God's covenant with Abraham. Later, when Jacob journeyed to Beersheba on his way to Joseph in Egypt, God spoke to him in visions of the night, saying, '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 biblical record itself gives the reason: God was going to make Jacob into a great nation while he was in Egypt.
Les Feldick emphasizes that this was a change in God's instruction. Up until this time God had told the patriarchs not to go down to Egypt, and when they tried it they got into trouble. Now, however, God tells Jacob, 'Don't be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of thee a great nation.' Les also notes that Egypt is a picture of the world and sinfulness, but God had come to the place where He could permit Jacob to go with his sons and their families because Joseph was already there and the famine had been set up to bring the whole tribe down. As a result, Israel became a nation in Egypt, going down as about 72 or 73 souls and coming out under Moses as a company of 5–7 million people.
Les Feldick points out that God had earlier told Isaac, 'Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.' Canaan was the land of promise because everything connected with it was based on God's promises. But when Jacob was ready to go to Joseph, God said, 'Fear not to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of thee a great nation.' Les calls this a change. Egypt, which is a picture of the world and sinfulness, had been off-limits; now God permitted Jacob to go for the purpose of making Israel a great nation.
Les Feldick teaches that about 215 years elapsed from the call of Abraham until Jacob went down into Egypt, and there were 215 years left in the 430-year time span God had foretold. He says the children of Israel were in Egypt itself for some 215 years after Jacob, and when Moses led them out they numbered anywhere from 5 to 7 million souls. For that period in time, Les says, it was the biggest nation in the then-known world.
Les Feldick explains that the whole famine was set up in order to bring the tribe of Jacob down into Egypt. Joseph was in control of the grain in Egypt and was able to break the famine for his family back in Canaan. When Jacob learned Joseph was alive, he longed to go down to Egypt, and God gave him permission with the promise of making him a great nation there. Les also notes that as long as Joseph was alive, Israel prospered in Goshen and multiplied.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel became a nation in Egypt, and specifically in slavery. God had promised Abraham a nation of people and a land for them, but that nation became viable only after Jacob's family grew in Egypt. When Moses came, he led out a nation of people—millions of them—not just a family. So, Les says, Egypt was the place where Israel became a nation of people, even though Canaan remained the land where they would later serve God.
Isaac's Instruction to Stay Out of Egypt
Les shows that God's earlier instruction to Isaac was not to go down into Egypt, because Canaan was the land of promise—this sets up the change when God later tells Jacob to go.
God's Promise to Make Jacob a Great Nation
Les highlights that God told Jacob not to fear Egypt, and that after about 215 years Israel came out as a company of 5–7 million people.
Repeat of the Promise to Jacob
Les again emphasizes God's words, 'I will make of thee a great nation,' and notes Israel came out 215 years later with millions.
Joseph's Role and the Nation's Origin
Les explains that Joseph's being in Egypt and storing food made it possible for Jacob's family to survive famine, and Israel became a nation during their centuries in Egypt.
Egypt as a Picture of the World
Les notes Egypt is a picture of the world and sin, but by this point God permitted Jacob to go there because it was His plan to make Israel a great nation.
Israel Becomes a Nation in Egypt
Les says God promised Abraham a nation and a land; that nation became viable in Egypt, under slavery, before Moses led them out.
Famine Was Set Up for This Purpose
Les observes that the whole famine was set up to bring the tribe of Jacob down into Egypt, and God's word to Jacob reversed the earlier instruction to Isaac.
The 430-Year Time Span and Growth in Goshen
Les places Jacob's move in the middle of God's 430-year time span and explains that Israel prospered and multiplied in Goshen as long as Joseph lived.
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:
God's earlier instruction to Isaac not to go to Egypt, showing the contrast when God later told Jacob to go.
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 direct reason God gave Jacob for going to Egypt: He would make Jacob a great nation there.
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's assurance to Jacob that He would go with him to Egypt and would bring him up again.
Yes. In Genesis 26:2, God told Isaac, 'Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.' Les Feldick explains that Canaan was the land of promise because everything connected with it was based on God's promises.
Les Feldick says the number was about 72 or 73 souls, including Joseph and his family who were already in Egypt. These were the beginnings of the nation of Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel was in Egypt itself about 215 years after Jacob went down, and that this sits in the middle of the 430-year time span God had foretold from Abraham to the Exodus. They came out under Moses as a company of 5–7 million people.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Their Messiah — Acts 7 & Joseph Explained