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Joseph and His Brothers
143
The sons of Jacob returned to their father with the joyful news.
“Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.”
At first the aged man was overwhelmed; he could not believe what he
heard; but when he saw the long train of wagons and loaded animals,
and when Benjamin was with him once more, he was convinced. In
the fullness of his joy he exclaimed, “It is enough. Joseph my son is
still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Another act of humiliation remained for the ten brothers. They
now confessed to their father the deceit and cruelty that had embit-
tered his life and theirs for so many years. Jacob had not suspected
them of such a vile sin, but he forgave and blessed his erring children.
The father and his sons, with their families, their flocks and
herds, and numerous attendants, were soon on their way to Egypt.
In a vision of the night the divine word came: “Do not fear to go
down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go
down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again.”
The promise of descendants as uncountable as the stars had been
given to Abraham, but so far the chosen people had increased quite
slowly. And the land of Canaan was in the possession of powerful
heathen tribes that were not to be dispossessed until “the fourth
[111]
generation.” To become a large number of people, the descendants
of Israel must either drive out the inhabitants of the land or scatter
themselves among them. If they mingled with the Canaanites, they
would be in danger of being drawn into idolatry. Egypt, however,
offered the conditions necessary to fulfill God’s plan. A section of
country, well-watered and fertile, was open to them there, offering
every advantage for their speedy increase. And they would remain
a distinct and separate people, shut out from participating in the
idolatry of Egypt.
When they reached Egypt, the company proceeded directly to the
land of Goshen. Joseph came there in his chariot of state, accompa-
nied by princely attendants. One thought alone filled his mind, one
longing thrilled his heart. As he watched the travelers approaching,
the love whose yearnings he had repressed for so many years would
no longer be controlled. He sprang from his chariot and hurried
to welcome his father. “And he presented himself to him, and fell
on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said to