Genesis 46 Devotional Bible Study

Genesis 46 Chapter Summary

On the way to Egypt, God appeared to Jacob in a vision and told him not to be afraid to go down to Egypt because He would bring him back from there. All of Jacob's family – sixty-six people – went down to Egypt.

When they arrived, Joseph told his brothers to tell Pharaoh they were shepherds, which was true because of their large flocks, and Pharaoh allowed them to live separately in the land of Goshen because shepherds were detestable to Egyptians.

 

Let Others Help You

Genesis 46:31-34

Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

What if Joseph’s brothers had moved to Egypt and insisted on making their own way instead of accepting their little brother’s help? Would they have gotten an audience with Pharaoh? Would they have been given a region to live with their livestock? Probably not.

The brothers needed to humble themselves and rely on Joseph’s connection to Pharaoh to be successful. What about you? Do you let other people help you? Do you feel like you need to do everything on your own? Are you letting pride and independence get in the way of your success?

Taking responsibility for yourself is one thing; not accepting help is another. Ask yourself, “If someone else were in my shoes, would I offer to help them?” If so, there’s nothing wrong with accepting help yourself when you’re the one in need. God put people around you for a reason. Don’t deny them the blessing of being used by God to help you.