“²⁷So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. ²⁸And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.”

– Genesis 47:27-28 (NKJV)

“So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt (do not shy away from the uncomfortable Truth of the boldness with which Our God places his people as sheep in the midst of what historically represents wolves, to accomplish His ultimate purposes and secure maximum Glory for His Son and His Co-Heiring Brothers and Sisters), in the country of Goshen (a very specific region as appointed unto them from the very start by God’s Anointed One, Joseph, acting on God’s behalf and in accordance with His Will); and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly (let us marvel also at the Joys of Bringing God’s Kingdom: the provision upon the journey and ultimate abundant blessing and fruitful harvest we get to enjoy “in the thick of it”, for it is God who brings increase and Peace in the midst even of what might be considered a most treacherous mission). And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.” (Take note of the careful juxtaposition of Israel The Nation and Israel The Man within these two verses: This Mighty Patriarch of the Faith can now rest Peaceably with God, for The People of God have been Strengthened, Perfected, Settled and Established within this region [1 Pet 5:10] – the ultimate Promise of God that he came to fulfill upon the earth, the first phase of revealing God’s Masterplan through this portion of history has been accomplished, namely, that Heaven invades earth and is established there for a time [the Nation of Israel established in Egypt] to again be rescued at The End once their enslavement becomes too severe [being taken back up unto Heaven, The Promised Land out of earth / Egypt]. Depending on the themes that The Holy Spirit is working out in your own life at present Dear Reader, please feel free to muse upon these high and lofty matters: be it pertaining to freedom from the slavery of sin, freedom from the earthly tent [2 Corinthians 5:1-5], dispensationalism, the rapture of the church [Luke 21:36], or however else you feel led to reflect upon the eternal significance of the narrative at hand. Let us pause here perhaps also to consider another deeply profound purpose that the life of Jacob accomplished upon the earth for the benefit of God’s People for many generations to come, namely, the revealing of the deeply felt pain of The Father as He sends His Son [Joseph / Our Lord Jesus] into a wicked world to suffer and die for it, then rejoice as He is resurrected to rule and reign over the very territory He came to conquer . . . )