HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-34.-Tlie descent of Jacob and his family into Egypt. I. THEDEPARTtJ'RE FROM CANAAN (vers. 1-7). 1. The journey to Beersheba. Distant from Hebron somewhere over twenty miles, Beersheba lay directly in the way to Egypt. Yet doubtless the chief motive for halting at "the well of the oath" consisted in the fact that it had been, so to speak, consecrated by the previous encampments of Abraham and Isaac, by the altars they had there erected, and tbe revelations they had there enjoyed. It is both pleasurable and profitable to visit scenes and places that have been hallowed by the saints of former days; and though now under the Christian dispensation it is true that every place is holy ground, yet few there are who do not feel their religious emotions quickened when they stand upon some sacred spot where holy men have walked and prayed, or saintly martyrs bled and died. 2. The stoppagtl at Beersheba. (1) The solemn act of worship-" Jacob offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac." This he did in obedience to Divine prescription, which had appointed the presentation of offerings as the only acceptable mode of worship, in imitation of the piety of bis ancestors, in presence of his assembled household, in supplication of Divine direction with regard to bis contemplated journey. (2) The midnight revelation. "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain," was Jehovah's word to Israel in a later day (Isa. xiv. 19); and certainly he never said so either to Jacob's ancestors or to Jacob himself. As formerly he had appeared to Abraham and to Isaac on this very spot, so now he appeared to their descendant; solemnly, in the visions of the night; audibly, speak- ing to him in a voice articulate and clear; earnestly, saying, Jacob, Jacob, to which Jacob answered, Here am I; and graciously, discovering himself as the covenant God of his father Isaac. (3) The encouraging exhortation-" Fear not to go down to Egypt." Abraham had been formerly reproved for going into Egypt, and Isaac prevented from following his example; but here Jacob is both permitted and advised to go. No saint can safely guide himself by following the example of another. What is God's will concerning one man may be the opposite concerning another. It is best to imitate the patriarch, and after asking God's counsel follow where he, his Spirit, word, or providence, may lead. (4) The fourfold promise: "I will there make of thee a great nation"-" I will surely go down with thee"-" I will also surely bring thee up again"-" and Joseph shall put bis hand upon thine eyes; " a promise of enlargement, protection, restoration, consolation; a promise, like all God's promises in the gospel, suited to the wants of his servant. 3. The advance from Beersheba. This took place with alacrity, for Jacob "rose up; " with una- 11i111ity, for they all went, carrying with tliem their wives and little ones; and with comfort, since they rode in Pharaoh'R waggons; and with safety, for it is added that they "came into Egypt." II. THE COMPANY Oil' THE TRAVELLERS (vers. 8-27). 1. Their character. (1) Descendants of Jacob. They came out of Jacob's loins. In the entire catnlogn~ there is no name that cannot be traced down in a direct line from Jacob, (2) Immi- grants into Egypt. The expression of course is used with a certain amount of latitu:fo, since Joseph's sons were born in Egypt, and probably all the fomily of Benjamin. But the accuracy of the language may be defended on the principle that the historian represents the entire family as having done what was done by its head. (3) Ancestors of Israel. Jacob's sons were the heads of the tribes, and Jacob's grandsons of the .;families, that subsequently formed the nation. 2. Their numbe1·. ( 1) "All the souls were threescore and six;" (2) "all the souls of the house of Jacob were threescore and ten;" (3) according to Stephen the total of Jacob's kindred w11s "threescore and fifteen souls." For the reconciliation of these different accounts, see the Exposition. 500 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [cH. XLVI. 1-8',
III. THE ARRIYAL AT EGYPT (vers. 28-34). 1. The musion of Judali. "And he eent Jud,~h before him 1;1nto Joseph," that he (Joseph) " mig·ht <lirect his fnc~ unto Goshen. 2. The coming of Joseph. (1) Joseph and his father. Learnmg of Jacob's ari·iv11l, Joseph "made ready his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father to Goshen." It was not ostentation, but the impatience of love that caused Joseph to drive to Goshen in the royal chariot. Presenting himself before his aged parent, he falls upon bis neck and weeps, unable for a good while to control his tears ; while the old man is so overcome at having his long-lost Joseph once more in his embrace, that he is quite willing to depart: "Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive." (2) Joseph and his brethren. Informing them of his intention to report their arrival to Pharaoh, he explains to them that Pharaoh will inquire about their occupation, and directs them how to answer so as to secure their residence in Goshen; a mark of duplicity in Joseph according to some, but rather a proof of the kindly and fraternal interest he took in his brothers' welfare.