Chapter XLVI
Ver. I^. Sacrifice at Bekr-sheba. 1. Israel took his journey with all that he had—that is, his household ; for in compliance with Pharaoh's recommendation, he left his heavy furniture behind. In contemplating a step so important as that of leaving Canaan, which at his time of life he might never revisit, so pious a patriarch would ask the guidance and counsel of God. With all his anxiety to see Joseph, he would rather have died in Ca-
naan without that highest of earthly gratifications, than leave it without the consciousness of carrying tlie Divine blessing along with him. came to Beer-sheba—Tliat place, which was in his direct route to Egypt, had been a favourite encampment of Abraham (cli. 21. Si) and Isaac
(ch. 2<5. 25), and was memorable for their experience of the Divine goodness ; and Jacob seems to have deferred his public devotions till he had reached a spot so consecrated by covenant to his own God and the God of his fathers.
God spake unto Israel—Here is a virtual renewal of the covenant and an assurance of its blessings. Moreover, here is an answer on the chief subject of Jacob's prayer, and a removal of any doubt as to the course he was meditating. At first the prospect of paying a persona] visit to Joseph had been viewed with unmingled joy. But, on calmer consideration, many difficulties appeared to lie in the way. He might remember the prophecy to Abraham that his posterity was to be afflicted in Egypt, and also that his father had been expressly told not to go; he might fear the contamination of idolatry to his family and their forgetfulness of the land of promise. These doubts were removed by the answer of the oracle, and an assurance given him of great and increasing prosperity. 3. I will there make of thee a great nation How truly this promise was fulfilled, appears In tlie fact,
CHAPTER XLVII.
Ver. 1-.S1. Presentation at Cottrt. 1. Joseph . . . told Pharaoli, My father, and my bretlireii—Joseph furnishes a beautiful example of a man who could bear equally well the extremes of prosperity and adversity. High as he was, he did not forget tliat he had a superior. Dearly as he loved his father, and anxiously as he desired
to provide for the whole family, he would not go Into the arrangements he had planned for their stay in Goshen, until he had obtained the sanction of his royal master,
a. he took some of his brethrenprobably llie five eldest brothers: seniority being the least invidious prin-
ciple of selection. 4. For to sojourn . . . are we come The royal conversation toolc the course which Joseph had anticipated (ch. 46.3:!), and they answered according to 45
- that the seventy souls who went down Into Egypt In-
' creased, la the space of 215 years, to 180,000. 4. I will also
Presentation at Court, GENESIS XLVIII, XLIX. Joseph's Visit to his Sick Father,
previous Instructions—:nanlfesting, however, In their de-