Genesis 46:3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
Think about what the Lord said to Jacob in this vision in the night. The Lord is going to make him a nation within a nation. Egypt is the most powerful nation at that time in world history. This is treason in some respects. If someone were to come to the United States and say they were going to set up another nation within the United States, they could be prosecuted for treason. What we see in this account is that Joseph begins transferring the wealth of the whole region to the Egyptians. The Israelites did not lose their wealth. Instead, they gain (see 47:27). Everyone else became a dependent of Egypt, having given up all their wealth, livestock and land in exchange for food. But God blessed the Israelites. So after the famine is over, only Egypt and the Israelites have any wealth. And it takes capital to make money. The Israelites are a relatively free people at this point. They are not slaves and they have the ability to carry on commerce, the makings of a nation. God keeps His promise. Four hundred years later, they leave Egypt as a great nation, probably over a million people strong. And the Lord tells them to not be afraid. Good advice no matter what nation you live in!
The Arnold Journey 