Genesis 12:10

2007.Jan.11 22:28

Egypt on the Way - Meme Introduction

Read Genesis 12:10 | Full Chapter

Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
(Genesis 12:10, NASB)

Let’s introduce a Biblical meme, shall we? Going to Eqypt. Abraham does it, Joseph does it (with his father Jacob and the rest of the family joining) (Genesis 37:28, Genesis 46), hence Israel as a nation takes a stop there, and later Jesus and his parents spend a few years there (Matthew 2:13-15).

Of course, there’s a multitude of other interactions between Israel and Egypt, as can be expected considering their proximity. I hope to delve into those as well in time. But for this entry, I just want to ponder this issue of going to Egypt.

In the case of Abraham and Jacob, they travel to Egypt to escape famine. Joseph travels unwillingly, sold into slavery, and Jesus’ family takes refuge there from Herod. In these instances, Egypt is a place of refuge. It also seems to be a place of maturing, at least for the nation of Israel. Abraham spends an early part of his personal time as a Canaan-dweller (sorry, needed to make up a term here) in Egypt; Israel as a nation spends an early part of her life in Egypt; Jesus, the savior, born into God’s chosen people, spends an early part of his life in Egypt.

What’s up with that? Beats me. It’s fascinating to me though, and I look forward to finding out more.