And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:2-4 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Listen
Jacob should not have been surprised to find Joseph in charge in Egypt. God came right and told Jacob that he would be seeing his beloved son again.
But I can not shake my head at Jacob’s deafness. Because I did not hear God’s promise, either. I have read this passage many, many times. And I never noticed, until this very moment, that God had made an astonishing and revealing promise to Jacob.
The Old Testament is filled with promises about the Messiah, but hardly anyone really expected the Messiah to be born then, or there, or with whom.
Jesus told his disciples many times that He would die, and rise again. But everyone was surprised when it happened.
I wonder what other promises God has been making that I have not noticed.
Perhaps it is time to read through the Bible again… maybe even with a bright highlighter. Maybe I, like Jacob, need to listen a little more.
Fear not, then listen.