And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
The verse stands in the closing chapters of Genesis, the Book of Beginnings, which tell of the testing of Jacob's sons, of Joseph making himself known to his brothers, of the joy of Jacob, of Israel's journey into Egypt, of the arrival in Goshen, and of the reception by Joseph and Pharaoh. The rest of the story of Joseph and his brothers is interesting and helpful, full of lessons on the surface as well as deeper ones. Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph to direct the way and to guide him toward Goshen, and then Jacob with his family came into the land of Goshen and settled there to dwell.
Judah was sent ahead to give direction and to guide Jacob to Joseph. He could be trusted by the family for this task because he had prevailed over his brothers in circumstances where they had failed. Goshen was chosen because it was grazing country where the family could keep sheep, an occupation the Egyptians abhorred, and thus remain separate from them.
The coming into Goshen was for reunion with Joseph after long mourning him as dead. When the sons returned from Egypt the second time reporting that Joseph was alive, the news at first seemed too good to be true and Jacob fainted. But upon hearing the facts and particulars his heart revived, his countenance was lighted with inexpressible joy and his whole being was animated. Their meeting is beautiful, simple yet affecting, so that none can read it without being moved to tears.
God's providence directed Israel in going into Egypt, which means God sent His children there even though no Scripture states it in those direct words. The journey and settlement show God's care for the preservation of the progenitors and descendants of the promised Seed. The going into Egypt had a twofold purpose: God's own people would be preserved from famine and tried, and Egypt would have constantly before them representatives of the truth of God. God guided Joseph's family to the place where they were to go, and though He may lead people by a roundabout way He guides them rightly, so people can trust His guidance.
The verse stands in the closing chapters of Genesis, the Book of Beginnings, which tell of the testing of Jacob's sons, of Joseph making himself known to his brothers, of the joy of Jacob, of Israel's journey into Egypt, of the arrival in Goshen, and of the reception by Joseph and Pharaoh. The rest of the story of Joseph and his brothers is interesting and helpful, full of lessons on the surface as well as deeper ones. Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph to direct the way and to guide him toward Goshen, and then Jacob with his family came into the land of Goshen and settled there to dwell.
Judah was sent ahead to give direction and to guide Jacob to Joseph. He could be trusted by the family for this task because he had prevailed over his brothers in circumstances where they had failed. Goshen was chosen because it was grazing country where the family could keep sheep, an occupation the Egyptians abhorred, and thus remain separate from them.
The coming into Goshen was for reunion with Joseph after long mourning him as dead. When the sons returned from Egypt the second time reporting that Joseph was alive, the news at first seemed too good to be true and Jacob fainted. But upon hearing the facts and particulars his heart revived, his countenance was lighted with inexpressible joy and his whole being was animated. Their meeting is beautiful, simple yet affecting, so that none can read it without being moved to tears.
God's providence directed Israel in going into Egypt, which means God sent His children there even though no Scripture states it in those direct words. The journey and settlement show God's care for the preservation of the progenitors and descendants of the promised Seed. The going into Egypt had a twofold purpose: God's own people would be preserved from famine and tried, and Egypt would have constantly before them representatives of the truth of God. God guided Joseph's family to the place where they were to go, and though He may lead people by a roundabout way He guides them rightly, so people can trust His guidance.