“And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. 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: 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.” (Genesis 46:1-4)

When he learned that his son Joseph was still alive, Jacob started the journey to Egypt. On the way, he stopped in Beersheba to pray, where his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham had worshipped. God appeared to him in a night vision and told him that his trip to Egypt was blessed. The Lord promised to make of him a great nation there, but more importantly, God vowed to go with him and bring the nation back again. God also said that Joseph would be present for Jacob’s death. Jacob believed God and every one of these promises came true.  

God is With You in Your Trials

What is interesting about this story is what came next. For around four hundred years, God did not speak at all. It is the longest period of divine silence in the Old Testament. The next time He spoke was to Moses at the burning bush. During those long centuries, He was quietly there in Egypt alongside His chosen people, fulfilling the promises that He made to Jacob. Even though they did not hear from Him, He nevertheless made them a great nation. God did not just send them into exile. Instead, He went with them into exile and silently did His work. When the time came for the Passover and the Exodus, many or all of the Israelites were still worshipping God, despite being surrounded by an idolatrous culture for centuries. Why? Because they had faith that God’s promises to their father Jacob were true.  

God going with His people into trials is a common theme in the Bible. From the sojourn in Egypt, to Daniel and the three Hebrews in Babylon, to Queen Esther in Persia, we see God right there beside His people. It is not a coincidence that Jesus tied His own ministry to the story of the Exodus. His parents also fled to Egypt and came back out. He died on Passover, during the celebration of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. Most importantly, He became our sacrificial lamb, just like on the first Passover. Matthew echoed the Old Testament prophet Hosea when he wrote of Jesus, “Out of Egypt have I called my son” (2:15). (Click HERE for 55 Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled.)

Christian, you can take comfort from these truths. Often, we experience our own personal exiles. You may wonder what God is doing in your life, and why you don’t hear His voice during this difficult time. I encourage you to be like the Israelites in Egypt and grab hold of His promises and don’t let go. Like the Israelites, He does not simply send us into exile. Instead, He goes with us during our hardships. Even if you do not hear His voice for a long period, rest assured that He is nearby.  

God Has a Reason for Your Exile

God has a reason for your exile. Many scholars believe that the sojourn in Egypt was during either the Bronze Age collapse or its aftermath. This was a time of upheaval as many great civilizations, such as those of Ugarit, Mycenae, and the Hittites, fell apart simultaneously. It was a time of famine and despair, as mysterious groups like the Sea People marauded around the Mediterranean basin and invaded Canaan. However, Egypt, and by extension the nation of Israel, was spared the worst of it. When the time was right, God accompanied them out of exile, just as He promised. 

What you perceive to be a trial may be God protecting you from something that could hurt or destroy you. Trust in the care and love of your Father. Remember that He is with you in your exile because He promised to never leave you nor forsake you. Trust that He will speak again. 

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

The pyramids of Giza, along with the Sphinx, are the best known attractions in Egypt. However, the country boasts at least 118 pyramids, many of which are well worth a visit. For example, the Red Pyramid and Saqqara. Photo by John Buckner

About John Buckner

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