Joseph and his Brethren
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him, saying, “Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of
Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not, And they
told him all the words of Joseph. which he had said unto them; and
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when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit
of Jacob their father revived. And Israel said, It is enough. Joseph my
son is yet alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Jacob’s sons then made their humiliating confessions to their father,
of their wicked treatment of Joseph, and entreated his forgiveness.
Jacob did not suspect his sons were guilty of such cruelty. But he
saw that God had overruled it all for good, and he forgave and blessed
his erring sons. He commenced his journey with gladness of heart,
and when he came to Beersheba he offered grateful sacrifices, and
entreated God to bless him, and make known to him if he was pleased
with their moving into Egypt. Jacob wanted an evidence from God
that he would go with them. “And God spake unto Israel in the visions
of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he
said, I am God, the God of thy fathers. Fear not to go down into Egypt,
for I will there make of thee a great nation. I will go down with thee
into Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again, and Joseph shall
put his hand upon thine eyes.”
The meeting of Joseph and his father was very affecting. Joseph
left his chariot, and ran to meet his father on foot, and embraced him,
and they wept over each other. Jacob then expressed his willingness to
die, since he had again seen his son Joseph, for whom he had so long
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mourned as dead.
Joseph counselled his brethren, that when Pharaoh should ask of
their occupation, to tell him frankly that they were shepherds, al-
though such an occupation was regarded by the Egyptians as degrad-
ing. Joseph loved righteousness, and feared God. He did not wish
his brethren to be exposed to temptation, therefore would not have
them in the king’s special services, amid the corrupting idolatrous
influence at court. If they should tell the king that they were shepherds,
he would not seek to employ them in his service, and exalt them to
some honorable position for Joseph’s sake. When the king learned that
they were shepherds, he gave Joseph permission to settle his father and
his brethren in the best part of the country of Egypt. Joseph selected
Goshen as a suitable place provided with good pastures, well watered.
Here also they could worship God without being disturbed with the