14th Week in Ordinary Time
I am God. . . . Do not be afraid. (Genesis 46:3)
We don’t know exactly why Jacob felt afraid to move his family to Egypt when his son, Joseph, invited him. But a little digging and research can help us make a few educated guesses.
To any Israelite living in the land of Canaan, Egyptian ways of life would seem strange and different. The men were clean shaven, unlike the Israelites. They worshipped the sun god, Ra, along with a whole host of other deities. What’s more, Jacob’s children and grandchildren were shepherds, but there was limited pastureland in Egypt. So Jacob was probably concerned about their livelihood. Jacob might also have feared that his children would lose their identity and turn away from the God of their fathers.
Not to mention, migrating to Egypt meant living and dying in a foreign land, and it was Jacob’s deepest desire to be buried in the same cave where his grandfather, Abraham, and father, Isaac, were buried. That burial place represented his beloved family, the land that God had given them, and all of God’s future promises. No wonder he didn’t want to leave!
Given all these uncertainties, it was merciful of God to reassure Jacob that he would still grant his heart’s desires. God promised to go with him into the new land and to bring him back to be buried in his home. Such promises meant a great deal to Jacob.
What situations cause you uncertainty or anxiety? Like Jacob and his descendants, you might right now be facing painful partings, job changes, or opportunities that stretch you. Particularly when family traditions, values, and relationships are in a state of upheaval, fear can creep in. The next time fears about the future, big or small, start nagging you, try to remember what God told Jacob: “I am God. . . . Do not be afraid” (Genesis 46:3).
God had a plan to fulfill Jacob’s deepest hopes—and he already knows what is most important to you. He is your mighty God. And that is a great reason to feel encouraged. God is faithful to his faithful ones. With him by your side, you can meet the future with courage as Jacob did.
“Father, I will trust in you. I will not be afraid.”
Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Matthew 10:16-23
