Why Joseph Was Brought Down to Egypt First as the Calf

"And Joseph was brought down to Egypt" (Genesis 39:1). The tribe was brought down to Egypt. To what is the matter comparable? To a cow that they sought to bring into the slaughterhouse, but she did not want to enter. What did they do? They took her calf and brought it into the slaughterhouse, and her calf began to low, and his mother entered after him against her will. So too Jacob our father and his sons were the cow, as it is said, "For Israel is stubborn like a stubborn cow" (Hosea 4:16). And Joseph went down to Egypt first, in order to fulfill the decree that was decreed upon the elder, as it is said, "And they shall serve them, and they shall afflict them" (Genesis 15:13). And Jacob was afraid to go down. What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He brought Joseph down to Egypt, and drew his father after him against his will. Therefore it is said, "And Joseph was brought down to Egypt."