MPV Commentary

1. Israel set out on his journey with all that he had, including his household. He left behind some of his heavy furniture as recommended by Pharaoh. Before embarking on this significant step, Israel sought guidance and counsel from God. Despite his eagerness to see Joseph, he would rather have stayed in Canaan without experiencing the joy of reunion than leave without knowing he carried God's blessing with him.

He came to Beer-sheba, a place that held special significance for Abraham (Genesis 21:33) and Isaac (Genesis 26:25). It was where they had experienced God's goodness and made covenants with Him. Jacob likely delayed his public devotions until he reached this consecrated spot.

2. God spoke to Israel, renewing the covenant and assuring him of its blessings. This answered Jacob's primary concern and removed any doubts about his decision. Initially, the prospect of visiting Joseph was met with unalloyed joy. However, upon further reflection, Jacob may have considered the difficulties that lay ahead, including the prophecy that his descendants would be afflicted in Egypt (Genesis 15:13) and the warning not to go there (Genesis 26:2). He might also have feared the influence of idolatry on his family and their potential forgetfulness of the land of promise. These concerns were alleviated by God's answer, which promised Jacob great and increasing prosperity.

3. God declared that He would make Israel a great nation at Beer-sheba. This promise was fulfilled as the seventy souls who went down to Egypt increased (Exodus 1:5-7) to 180,000 in just two hundred fifteen years.

4. God also assured Jacob that He would bring him up again. Since Jacob could not expect to live long enough to see this promise realized, he understood it was meant for his descendants. The promise was literally fulfilled when Jacob's remains were taken back to Canaan, but in a broader sense, it was only fully realized when Israel established themselves in the land of promise.

Joseph would close Jacob's eyes with filial piety, implying that he would then enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with his beloved son.