Bible Commentaries

This chapter should be read in the light of the whole divine movement we are attempting to keep in mind. The migration of Jacob and his sons to Egypt is here distinctly shown to be a part of God's program. At this juncture God appeared and charged him not to be afraid, making him a threefold promise. First, that He would make a great nation of him there, that is, in Egypt. How much lay concealed in that word Jacob perhaps did not understand. In all probability he understood the promise to mean great in numbers. That it had such intention there can be no doubt, but subsequent history shows that it meant far more, for through discipline and suffering the nation was to be made great in other ways than population increase. God reveals to men at any given time only so much as they are able to bear. And yet in case any fear should come to the heart of His servant, He promised him, second, "I will go down with thee"; and, finally, "I will . . . bring thee up." It is interesting to note that God still spoke to him by the old name "Jacob" recognizing that he had not experimentally entered into all that grace had provided for him, and indicating that notwithstanding his failure, God still continued to guide.

Joseph carefully arranged for the segregation of his people which was also undoubtedly part of the divine purpose. He charged them to declare themselves to Pharaoh as shepherds. That ensured the maintenance of the separation of the Egyptians from the Hebrews because "every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians."