Genesis 46:33-34: “When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
Jacob gathered his family and they set off for Egypt. On the way they stopped in Beersheba. There Jacob built an altar and thanked the Almighty that he was allowed to see his son Joseph again. But if he was honest, he was a little scared to leave his home country for good. For the second time in his life he would live in exile, but this time, he was sure, he would not see Canaan again – not in his lifetime anyway. “Oh Lord”, he prayed, “Be with us on our journey. Protect my family from annihilation. Protect us from being assimilated into a foreign culture. It’s Pharaoh’s domain, a land of refined buildings and idol worship. Be with us, I pray, our Protector, our Provider!”
At night after everybody had retired, Jacob sat by the fire. He was restless. Here, camped out under the stars, his family lay fast asleep. All of his eleven sons had family. Their numbers had grown to 70, without counting the wives and daughters. It seemed like yesterday when he had set out for Mesopotamia. Back then he was young and destitute, but God had offered him a glimpse of heaven and confirmed that He would be with him on his journey. Presently, he was questioning his decisions. Had he done the right thing? As much as he loved Joseph and wanted to see him again, he did not want to jeopardize the lives of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“What if we run into a trap?” Jacob thought and he prayed: “Forgive me Lord for making rash decisions without considering how it could affect all of us.”
In a night vision the Lord spoke to Jacob and said [Genesis 46:3-4]:
“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”
Jacob lay prostrate and worshiped the Lord: “Thank you,” he prayed with tears of relief, “Thank you Lord of lords and King of kings for answering your servant.” – “You are Israel,” the Lord confirmed, “And your children shall grow into a strong nation whose blessing will spread all around the world.”
At the governor’s mansion the lights were still on. Whenever Joseph had trouble sleeping he went to a certain room on the second floor which he had turned into his home office. A lavish door led to a beautiful balcony. He stepped outside and slowly breathed in the cool night air as he watched a shooting star briefly illuminating the eastern sky. “Comes and goes within a moment,” he muttered to himself and didn’t know whether he meant the shooting star or was rather thinking of himself. He was very excited to see his father again, but he was also acutely aware of his enemies in the royal court. The immigration of his relatives had to be handled with extreme care and foresight.
The following day preparations for the arrival of Joseph’s family were in full swing when his servant announced that one of his brothers had arrived and was waiting in the reception hall. Immediately Joseph went down to see him and greeted him warmly: “Judah! You’re already here!” Judah smiled a bit cautiously and said: “Father sent me ahead to ask you for directions to Goshen.” Joseph nodded and said: “I will send my servants with you to show you the way.”
Once Joseph received word that his family had arrived in Goshen he had his chariot made ready and drove there as quickly as he could. His relatives had set camp in the eastern river delta. Joseph couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the amount of tents and people. In his absence his family had grown into a full-fledged tribe.
The arrival of his chariot caused no minor stir in the camp. Joseph directed his horses to a shady place, jumped off and bound the reigns around a tree. Meanwhile a crowd had gathered. A solitary figure with white hair emerged from the crowd and headed towards him. Joseph immediately recognized him. “Abba!” he cried and ran to his father. He threw his arms around him and cried for a long time. “I can die in peace,” his father said, “Now that I’ve seen that you are still alive.” Joseph laughed through his tears: “Oh Dad, let’s not talk about dying on such a joyous day.” Then he wiped his tears and looked at the crowd that had gathered and said in awe: “Unbelievable, Dad! How come that we have grown into a sizable tribe almost overnight?” Jacob shook his head smiling and replied, “Joseph, thirty years is not “overnight.” And beyond that, the Lord has promised that he would grow us into a great nation here.”
Joseph became alarmed when he heard his father’s last remark. “We need to talk, Dad,” he said to him. “Do you think we can get together today? There is something I need to tell all of you, especially before you meet the Pharaoh.” Jacob nodded and turned to his sons instructing them: “Bring everyone here. Joseph has an important message for us.”
Later when all of his family was assembled, Joseph stood up and said: “I am very touched to see all of you today. This is a very special day, and in my wildest dreams I couldn’t have imagined that this day would come. Now I have to warn you – although Pharaoh is extremely hospitable and I have found favor in his eyes – I need you to be aware that not everybody in Egypt will welcome you with open arms. In fact we already have enemies who will watch our every move. Here is what I need you to do when you see Pharaoh: Tell him that we have been shepherds for generations. Then you will be allowed to settle here in Goshen. Influential people generally despise hillbillies and shepherds and won’t come here to bother you.” Joseph looked around and let his words sink in. “Remember never to mention to any Egyptian that God will grow us into a great nation. That would cause great concern. Do you understand?”
“Who is going to meet with Pharaoh?” Reuben asked and Joseph replied: “Pharaoh wants to see our father tomorrow. And I think no more than five of us siblings should be there with him. The less people know our family, the better for us.”