"...All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy...and they came to the land of Goshen...that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination the Egyptians." vv. 27,28,34
Read chapter 46.
So Jacob and his family are led out of the promised land of Canaan to Egypt. I'lll be 400 years till they head back. Weird it seem that Joseph would have his family continue in being shepherds when it mentions shepherds being an abomination to Egyptians. Yet this is important to preserve the one of Israel as a nation and not fall into influence and customs of Egypt as many in the family had already turned to the ways of Canaanites when living there and taking wives among Canaan. The word abomination is a very strong word of revulsion and would the be sure Egyptians wouldn't even want to mix even if Israel did. This area of Goshen helps to preserve and grow Israel as a nation and it's identity as God's people. Sometimes being the outcast or the minority is a good thing in the long run. How can your life be set apart for God while living among the word of nonbelievers? What makes it hard? What makes it worth it?
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