
π June 1, 2025
π DAILY BIBLE READING
β¨ Genesis 46 β Jacobβs Journey to Egypt β Godβs Guidance Through Generations
π God goes with us β even when the path is unknown
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π Bible Text β Genesis 46 (KJV)
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.
2Β And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
3Β 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:
4Β 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.
5Β And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
6Β And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
7Β His sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
8Β And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
9Β And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
10Β And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
11Β And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
12Β And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
13Β And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
14Β And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
15Β These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.
16Β And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
17Β And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
18Β These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
19Β The sons of Rachel Jacob’s wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
20Β And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
21Β And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
22Β These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
23Β And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
24Β And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
25Β These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.
26Β All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
27Β And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
28Β And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
29Β And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
30Β And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
31Β And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
32Β And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
33Β And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
34Β That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
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π΅ Introduction
The story in Genesis 46 is not just a travel account of a large family, but a significant turning point in the history of salvation. Jacob, the patriarch, sets out in old age with his entire family to Egyptβa journey full of hope, emotion, but also uncertainty. What accompanies him is the promise of God: βDo not be afraid, for I will make you a great nation there.β
This promise changes everything. A step into the unknown becomes a step of faith. The journey to Egypt becomes a symbol of our own lives with Godβguided, accompanied, and sustained by His promise.
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π‘ Commentary
1. Godβs Promise at Night (vv. 1β4)
Before Jacob moves to Egypt, God meets him in a night vision. He calls him by name: βJacob, Jacob!ββa sign of closeness and affection. God repeats the promise given to Abraham and Isaac: that He would make Jacobβs descendants a great nation. God assures Jacob of His presence and guidance, and even promises comfort in his final momentsβJoseph will close his eyes.
2. A Journey in Trust (vv. 5β7)
Jacob does not go alone. His whole familyβ70 personsβfollows him, a sign of Godβs blessing. The wagons from Pharaoh show that God can use even worldly powers to fulfill His purposes. The journey is not only geographical but spiritual: Jacob follows Godβs call, just as Abraham once did.
3. The Family Record (vv. 8β27)
This long list of names is a testimony to Godβs faithfulness. Each name represents a life under Godβs protection. Even the women and children are listedβthey too are part of the promise. The number 70 symbolizes wholeness and completeness.
4. The Reunion with Joseph (vv. 28β30)
One of the most emotional scenes in the Bible: Joseph embraces his father and weeps. After years of pain and separation, the family is restored. Jacobβs words, βNow I can die, having seen your face,β express deep gratitude and fulfillment.
5. Josephβs Wisdom and Foresight (vv. 31β34)
Joseph prepares his family for their meeting with Pharaoh. Knowing that Egyptians despise shepherds, he ensures they will settle in Goshenβa fertile land, separate from Egyptian society. This preserves their identity and protects them from assimilation. It shows how God uses wise leaders to protect His people.
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π’ Summary
Genesis 46 tells how Jacob, encouraged by Godβs voice, moves with his family to Egypt. It is a journey of faith and surrender to divine guidance. The list of names reflects Godβs care for each individual. The reunion of Jacob and Joseph marks the restoration of broken family bonds. Josephβs strategic thinking shows how divine wisdom works through human actions.
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π΄ Message for Today
We too often face decisions that lead us into the unknownβwhether in work, family, or faith. Godβs promise to Jacob applies to us as well: βDo not be afraid, I am with you.β He walks with us, even when we donβt know what lies ahead.
Let us remember: Our security lies not in our own plans, but in Godβs leadership. He sees farther than we doβand when we trust Him, even foreign lands become places of blessing.
God knows each of us by nameβjust like the names listed in the Bible. You are part of His great plan. No matter how small or forgotten you may feel, your name is written in His book.
~~~~~ π ~~~~~
π June 1 – 7, 2025
π WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
π Ellen G. White β Patriarchs and Prophets β Chapter 8
β¨ After the Flood
π Read online here
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π΅ Introduction
The flood was over. The waters receded, and the ark came to rest. But life after the flood was not simply a continuationβit was a complete new beginning. In Chapter 8 of Patriarchs and Prophets, we read how God not only saves but also leads, protects, and grants new promises. Noah, the faithful preacher of righteousness, stands as a shining example of obedience, gratitude, and trustβeven in times of deep uncertainty. The world that awaited him was no longer the sameβbut God had not changed: faithful, powerful, and full of grace.
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π‘ Commentary
1. Faith in the Test (The Months in the Ark)
The five months spent in the ark were a hard trial of patience. Without knowing when the waters would recede, Noah remained steadfast. He did not doubt Godβs leading. Faith carried him and his family through the darkness.
Lesson: True trust is shown in the silence of waiting. Godβs hand guides even when we cannot see it.
2. The Ordered Return (The Birds and Patience)
Noah sent out the raven and the dove in search of a sign. But he did not act impatientlyβhe left the ark only when God explicitly commanded him.
Lesson: Even when we see signs, our decisions must be guided by Godβs word, not by circumstances alone.
3. The First Altar (Gratitude and Sacrifice)
Before he built a home for himself, Noah built an altar for God. He offered clean animalsβan expression of his faith in the coming sacrifice of Christ.
Lesson: True gratitude first honors the One who gave everythingβeven when our own resources are scarce.
4. Godβs Response: The New Covenant
God smelled the βpleasing aromaβ of the sacrifice and declared a new covenant: there would be no more global flood. The rainbow became the sign of this covenant.
Lesson: God uses visible signs to assure us of His invisible faithfulness. His promises are for all generations.
5. A Changed Earth, A Changed Lifestyle
The earth was completely alteredβlandscape and ecosystem. God permitted the eating of meat as an adaptation to the new reality.
Lesson: Godβs care and instructions adapt to human situations, but His moral will remains unchanged.
6. Hidden Treasures and Judgment
The flood buried not only bodies but also human pride, wealth, and idolatry. From this came coal, oil, and oreβevidence of Godβs judgment but also of His mercy.
Lesson: What man abused, God transformed into a testimony of His power and justice.
7. Future Judgments: Fire Instead of Water
As water once cleansed the earth, so fire will purify it at the end. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and disasters are forerunners of Christβs return.
Lesson: Godβs warnings are not meant to frighten but to call us to repentanceβHis grace protects His people.
8. Godβs Protection for His Own
Just as Noah was safe in the ark, Godβs people will be protected by His power at the end. Psalm 91 becomes a personal promise amid chaos.
Lesson: The safe place is not geographical, but spiritualβunder Godβs wings.
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π’ Summary
After the flood, Noah stepped into a radically changed world. But in the midst of death and destruction, his heart remained focused on God. His obedience, gratitude, and faith make him a model for all generations. And God responded with grace, promise, and protection. The rainbow stretching across the sky and throne remains the eternal sign: Godβs covenant stands. And though future judgments will come, He will preserve those who trust in Him.
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π΄ Message for Us Today
In a world again marked by uncertainty, disasters, and moral decay, God calls us to live like Noah: with faith, obedience, and gratitude. When all that we know is shaken, we can rest assured:
Godβs hand is still at the helm.
His covenant still stands. The rainbow in the sky is more than a natural phenomenonβit is a testimony of His faithfulness. And just as Noah was preserved in the midst of judgment, so we too can know:
The righteous are safeβnot because they are strong, but because they trust in God.
So then, let us build altars of gratitude before we build houses. Let us give before we take. Let us believe before we see.
For the Lord, your Redeemer, says:
βMy kindness shall not depart from you.β (Isaiah 54:10)