14th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 14th July 2023 – Genesis 46,1-7.28=30; Mt 10,16-23
Promises of God
In the first reading, Jacob must have had mixed feelings about leaving the land which is part of his heritage from his father and grandfather, a land which God had given to his ancestors. How will God restore Jacob/Israel to this land if they are heading out to Egypt for a length of time that only God knows? It will be a blessing to see his son, Joseph, whom he thought was dead. Yet, he is also conscious of the fact that he is supposed to be buried in the tomb of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebecca. At this juncture, God speaks to Jacob/Israel confidently urging him to have faith in the God of promises. God commands him to go down to Egypt just as he had commanded Abraham to set out for Canaan. God reassures him that his son Joseph would bring his remains back to his homeland. Thus, God unfolds part of the divine plan that includes the family of Israel going down to Egypt where they will become a great nation. The move is clearly presented as God’s will and not just a family decision. Thus, the journey of Jacob and his family to Egypt will be in the first place to get reunited with Joseph and then to begin a new episode in their journey of faith.
