461 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba , and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac . 2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said , " Jacob , Jacob ." And he said , "Here I am." 3 He said , " I am God , the God of your father ; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt , for I will make you a great nation there . 4 " I will go down with you to Egypt , and I will also surely bring you up again ; and Joseph will close e your eyes ."
5 Then Jacob arose from Beersheba ; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 They took their livestock and their property , which they had acquired in the land of Canaan , and came to Egypt , Jacob and all his descendants with him:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 46:1-6
Commentary on Genesis 46:1-4
(Read Genesis 46:1-4)
Even as to those events and undertakings which appear most joyful, we should seek counsel, assistance, and a blessing from the Lord. Attending on his ordinances, and receiving the pledges of his covenant love, we expect his presence, and that peace which it confers. In all removals we should be reminded of our removal out of this world. Nothing can encourage us to fear no evil when passing through the valley of the shadow of death, but the presence of Christ.
Commentary on Genesis 46:5-27
(Read Genesis 46:5-27)
We have here a particular account of Jacob's family. Though the fulfilling of promises is always sure, yet it is often slow. It was now 215 years since God had promised Abraham to make of him a great nation, 2; yet that branch of his seed, to which the promise was made sure, had only increased to seventy, of whom this particular account is kept, to show the power of God in making these seventy become a vast multitude.