The land of Goshen is an important location mentioned multiple times in the Bible, especially in relation to the Israelites during the time of Joseph and the Exodus. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about the land of Goshen:
Where Was the Land of Goshen Located?
The land of Goshen was located in the eastern region of the Nile Delta in Egypt (Genesis 45:10). It was some of the most fertile land in Egypt, making it well-suited for raising livestock. Based on details in the Bible, scholars believe Goshen was likely located around the Wadi Tumilat, east of the Nile River and stretching from modern-day Ismailia to Tel el-Kebir.
Goshen in the Time of Joseph
When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt during the famine to buy food, Joseph told them they could live in the land of Goshen (Genesis 45:10). At the time, Joseph was second-in-command to Pharaoh in Egypt. He instructed his brothers to tell Pharaoh about their occupation as shepherds and request to live in Goshen, “for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians” (Genesis 46:34). Pharaoh granted their request and even appointed Joseph’s brother’s overseers of his own livestock in Goshen (Genesis 47:6).
Settling the Israelites in Goshen accomplished several things:
- It kept the Hebrews separate from the Egyptians, allowing the Israelites to maintain their culture and way of life (Genesis 46:34).
- It utilized the fertile land of Goshen to raise Joseph’s family’s flocks and herds (Genesis 47:1, 27).
- It allowed Joseph’s family to be near him in the capital city (Genesis 45:10).
Goshen During the Time of Moses and the Exodus
When Moses was born, the Israelites were living in the land of Goshen and growing rapidly as a people (Exodus 1:7). Concerned about their growth, the new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph oppressed the Israelites with forced labor (Exodus 1:8-11). Yet they continued to thrive, so Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Israelite boys (Exodus 1:15-22). Moses was one of these Hebrew children hidden by his mother to preserve his life (Exodus 2:1-10).
Eventually Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding he let God’s people go to worship in the wilderness. God sent a series of plagues on Egypt to compel Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave. During the ninth plague, darkness covered the whole land of Egypt for three days, but there was light in Goshen where the Israelites lived (Exodus 10:21-23). God sovereignly protected his people from this plague.
On the night of the tenth and final plague, Passover, the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb. God passed through Egypt and struck down the firstborn of everyone whose house was not covered by the blood. However, He passed over and spared the houses of the Israelites in Goshen (Exodus 12:23, 27).
After this final devastating plague, Pharaoh finally relented and urged the Israelites to leave Egypt. So the Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, mustering a great host of 600,000 men plus women, children, flocks and herds. God led them out of Egypt and Goshen after 430 years of living in the land (Exodus 12:37-42).
Key Facts About Goshen in the Bible
Here are some key facts to understand about the land of Goshen in the Bible:
- It was located in the eastern Nile Delta region of Egypt.
- It contained fertile grazing land well-suited for raising livestock.
- Joseph invited his family to settle there to be near him and to avoid intermingling with Egyptian culture.
- The Israelites prospered and grew rapidly in number while living in Goshen.
- The Egyptians oppressed the Israelites through forced labor but could not stop them from thriving.
- God providentially protected the Israelites in Goshen during the plague of darkness.
- The Passover and Exodus marked the Israelites’ departure from Goshen back to Canaan.
Significance of Goshen in God’s Redemptive Plan
Though the land of Goshen was just one geographical region, it bore great significance in God’s redemptive plan for Israel:
- God strategically placed Joseph in Egypt to prepare a place for his family during famine.
- Settling Israel in Goshen allowed them to thrive in Egypt while maintaining their cultural identity.
- God powerfully protected Israel in Goshen during the plagues that devastated Egypt.
- Israel’s exodus from Goshen foreshadowed God’s future redemption of His people from slavery to sin.
Overall, the land of Goshen served as the incubator for God’s chosen people, allowing them to rapidly grow in number from 70 to over 2 million. God sustained them and set the stage for their exodus back to Canaan to inherit the Promised Land. Goshen marked a pivotal transitional period in Israel’s history as described in Genesis and Exodus.
Goshen Foreshadows Salvation Through Christ
Beyond its geographical importance, the land of Goshen also carries symbolic significance that points to salvation through Jesus Christ:
- Dwelling safely in Goshen foreshadowed abiding in Christ’s salvation and protection from God’s judgment on the world (John 15:4-5).
- The Passover lamb’s blood sparing the Israelites in Goshen foreshadowed Christ’s blood that redeems sinners from God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7).
- The Exodus journey from Goshen to the Promised Land foreshadowed our journey from slavery to sin to God’s heavenly kingdom (Hebrews 11:9-16).
- God’s provisions and covenant blessings on Israel in Goshen foreshadow His abundant spiritual provisions and covenant promises to believers in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-10).
Goshen not only had geographical significance for Israel, but also contains symbolic parallels that remind us of God’s gracious redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. Just as God protected and blessed Israel in Goshen, He provides our ultimate deliverance through the atoning blood of Christ.
The land of Goshen serves as an important backdrop early in Israel’s formation as a nation. God strategically used this fertile region of Egypt to prosper His people before redeeming them from captivity. The Bible student should carefully consider Goshen’s geography and relation to key biblical events, as well as its foreshadowing of salvation in Christ. Goshen provides a window into God’s graciousness to Israel in the Genesis-Exodus narrative that laid the groundwork for His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
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