though they are not yet perfected; and this is a decent way of begging further mercy. (2.) By way of petition for the presence of God with him in his intended journey; he desired by these sacrifices to make his peace with God, to obtain the forgiveness of sin, that he might take no guilt along with him in this journey, for that is a bad companion. By Christ, the great Sacrifice, we must reconcile ourselves to God, and offer up our requests to him. (3.) By way of consultation; the Heathen consulted their oracles by sacrifice. Jacob would not go till he had asked God's leave; "Shall I go down to Egypt, or back to Hebron?" Such must be our inquiries in doubtful cases; and though we cannot expect immediate answers from Heaven, yet if we diligently attend to the directions of the word, conscience, and providence, we shall find it is not in vain to ask counsel of God.
II. How God did direct his paths. In the visions of the night, (probably, the very next night after he had offered his sacrifices, as 2 Chron. 1. 7.) God spake unto him, v. 2. Note, Those who desire to keep up communion with God, shall find that it never fails on his side. If we speak to him as we ought, he will not fail to speak to us. God called him by name, by his old name, Jacob, Jacob, to remind him of his low estate; his present fears did scarcely become an Israel. Jacob, like one well acquainted with the visions of the Almighty, and ready to obey them, answers, "Here am I, ready to receive orders:" and what has God to say to him?
1. He renews the covenant with him; I am God, the God of thy father, (v. 3.) that is, "I am what thou ownest me to be: thou shalt find me a God, a divine wisdom and power engaged for thee; and thou shalt find me the God of thy father, true to the covenant made with him."
2. He encourages him to make this remove of his family; Fear not to go down into Egypt. It seems, though Jacob, upon the first intelligence of Joseph's life and glory in Egypt, resolved, without any hesitation, I will go and see him; yet, upon second thoughts, he saw some difficulties in it, which he knew not well how to get over. Note, Even those changes which seem to have in them the greatest joys and hopes, yet have an allay of cares and fears, Nulla est sincera voluptas—There is no unmingled pleasure. We must always rejoice with trembling. Jacob had many careful thoughts about this journey, which God took notice of. (1.) He was old, 130 years old; and it is mentioned as one of the infirmities of old people, that they are afraid of that which is high, and fears are in the way, Eccl. 12. 5. It was a long journey, and Jacob was unfit for travel, and perhaps remembered that his beloved Rachel died in a journey. (2.) He feared lest his sons should be tainted with the idolatry of Egypt, and forget the land of their fathers, or enamoured with the pleasures of Egypt, and forget the land of promise. (3.) Probably, he thought of what God had said to Abraham concerning the bondage and affliction of his seed, (ch. 15. 13.) and was apprehensive that his remove to Egypt would issue in that. Present satisfactions should not take us off from the consideration and prospect of future inconveniences, which possibly may arise from that which now appears most promising. (4.) He could not think of laying his bones in Egypt. But whatever his discouragements were, this was enough to answer them all, Fear not to go down into Egypt.
3. He promises him comfort in the remove. (1.) That he should multiply in Egypt; " I will there, where thou fearest that thy family will sink, and be lost, make it a great nation. That is the place Infinite Wisdom has chosen for the accomplishment of that promise." (2.) That he should have God's presence with him; I will go down with thee into Egypt. Note, Those that go whither God sends them, shall certainly have God with them; and that is enough to secure them wherever they are, and to silence their fears; we may safely venture into Egypt, if God go down with us. (3.) That neither he nor his should be lost in Egypt; I will surely bring thee up again. Though Jacob died in Egypt, yet this promise was fulfilled, [1.] In the bringing up his body, to be buried in Canaan, about which it appears he was very solicitous, ch. 49. 29..32. [2.] In the bringing up of his seed to be settled in Canaan. Whatever low or darksome alley we are called into at any time, we may be confident, if God go down with us into it, that he will surely bring us up again. If he go with us down to death, he will surely bring us up again to glory. (4.) That, living and dying, his beloved Joseph should be a comfort to him; Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. This is a promise that Joseph should live as long as he lived, that he should be with him at his death, close his eyes with all possible tenderness and respect, as the dearest relations used to do. Probably Jacob, in the multitude of his thoughts within him, had been wishing that Joseph might do this last office of love for him; Ille meos oculos comprimat—Let him close my eyes; and God thus answered him in the letter of his desire. Thus God sometimes gratifies the innocent wishes of his people, and makes not only their death happy, but the very circumstances of it agreeable.
5. And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him. 7. His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt. 8. And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's first-born. 9. And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi. 10. And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman. 11. And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 12. And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah,and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul. 13. And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron. 14. And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel. 15. These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padan-aram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters, were thirty and three. 16. And the sons of Gad: Ziphion, and Haggai, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli. 17. And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons
