He could have sent them to any number of nations among the Canaanites. They were a lot closer which would have made for a much easier and more convenient walking distance since Israel and his family were already sojourning among them. So why Egypt?
What if I told you that the reason God sent them to be enslaved under the Egyptians was to protect their purity? You may be asking, "Would God really send His children into bondage and hard times in order to protect them from being led astray from the truth?"
Genesis 46:34 says...
"...for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians."
I took a screenshot of the definition of loathsome from Google for your reference.
Question
Why do you think God would send a people of shepherds into a nation that loathes shepherds?
Answer
So they wouldn't intermarry. God is concerned with the purity of His people. He knows how weak we are and how easy it is for us to follow after other gods. Thus, He sent them to the one place in which they would never mix races.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4 says...
"Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods..."
Conclusion
Simeon had already had a son by a Canaanite woman (Genesis 46:11) and this would have become a characteristic of many if Israel would have remained sojourning among the Canaanites. Thus, God moved them to protect them.
They suffered hard persecution and were forced into slavery, but God protected their purity and kept them as a chosen race to be His nation of priests who would serve Him and only Him by being a light to the nations.
Has God ever sent you into hard times to protect your purity?
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