BRAGADAYJAH 149

We do not know for sure just how much time elapsed between the time when Israel received the report from his sons that Joseph was still alive and the time when he was finished packing up his household and his belongings and start out on the journey of re-settlement in Egypt; but we know that he eventually did. We can be sure, too, that he made preparations for the journey with all haste, anxious as he would have been to see his son Joseph. However, the day came when he did undertake the journey down to Egypt; and on his way he stopped at Beersheba and there offered sacrifices unto the God of his farther Isaac. And that night God appeared unto him in a vision and spoke with and told him, “I am God, the God of your father; fear not to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation. As I tell you to go, I also tell you that you shall not be alone; for I will go with you; and when the time is right, I will bring you out again.” From Canaan to Beersheba, did Israel journey in fear and apprehension driven only by the overwhelming desire to see his son? We note that God told him not to be afraid to go down to Egypt, which implies that Israel was very much reluctant and afraid with regard to the decision he had taken. So, therefore, God appeared unto him and encouraged him and told him not ot be afraid So rising up from his overnight dream, Israel decided to complete the last leg of his journey; he and his sons, their wives and little ones, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry them. And they took all of their cattle and their goods, and all their belongings and made the journey to Egypt. More