Take a step of faith

Genesis 46

In Genesis 15, God told Abraham that his descendants will go down to Egypt to spend years there. Truly, God told Jacob to go down to Egypt with all that he had. The purpose of this was to preserve their lives from the famine. When Jesus was born, He was taken to Egypt to save Him from Herod who sought to kill Him. God is always ahead of human beings. He knows what will happen before they do.

What can we learn?

#1. Be directed by God before you move. (Genesis 46:1-4)

Even though Jacob agreed to go down to Egypt to settle with his son Joseph and be preserved from the famine, he sought the counsel of God before he made any step of faith. It was already prophesied by God that He will let His people go to Egypt and free them after years but Jacob still sought the counsel of God before going. This must be the behaviour of every believer born from above. The Bible says we must trust the Lord with all our hearts. One way to do that is to hear what He wants us to do before we do anything.

#2. Be bold to take a step of faith. (Genesis 46:5-27)

The second important lesson we learn here is that after Jacob heard from God, he took a step of faith to the place God wanted him to go. He directed him to go to Egypt and he took every person and property along. When we hear from God through the reading of His word or clear voice, we must act in faith. Some people are noted for undue delays. They spiritualise their inaction to the detriment of their own progress in life. When God wants us to move, we cannot dwell and say we are waiting for the perfect timing. As He is with us, just move!

#3. Be guided by people of experience. (Genesis 46:28-34)

Joseph finally met his father and reunited with him after years of being sold into slavery. Joseph went on to give them guidance as to where they will be staying and what they must say when they come face to face with Pharaoh. He was a man of immense experience as far as Egyptian culture was concerned. When we come to unfamiliar territory,  we must seek the practical experiences of people who know and understand the system. If they were not guided, they will say what must not be said that can turn Pharaoh against them and drain their favour in his eyes. God uses men to favour His people.

What God declares comes to pass. Long ago, He said they will go and live in Egypt and it happened.

Take Action: Trust the prophecies of God that they will come to pass.