That feeling, that tension, is right at the heart of the story we find in the Book of Jubilees as Jacob, now also known as Israel, prepares to leave the familiar for the unknown.
The Book of Jubilees, sometimes called Lesser Genesis, is a fascinating ancient Jewish text. It retells the stories from Genesis, but with a unique perspective on chronology and law. It fills in gaps, expands on characters' motivations, and offers a window into the beliefs of some Jewish communities in antiquity.
Our story picks up in Jubilees 44 with Israel rising up from the Well of the Oath – Be'er Sheva (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע) in Hebrew – on the sixteenth of the third month. Be'er Sheva itself is a place brimming with history. It's where Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech, a place of divine encounter. Leaving it isn’t just a physical departure; it’s a severing of ties with a rich past.
And where is Israel heading? To Egypt.
But he doesn’t just blindly stumble into this new land. Israel, ever the careful patriarch, sends Judah ahead. Judah, one of his sons, is dispatched to Joseph, his long-lost son who has risen to power in Egypt. The mission? To scout out the Land of Goshen.
Why Goshen specifically?
Well, Joseph had instructed his brothers to settle there, close to him. It’s a practical consideration, of course. Joseph wants his family nearby. But it's also a sign of Joseph's continued love and loyalty to his family. Imagine the relief and joy that must have coursed through Israel upon hearing this news.
The text tells us that Goshen was "the goodliest (land) in the land of Egypt." Not just good, but the best. Fertile, prosperous, and conveniently located near Joseph. It’s a land of promise within a land of exile.
It was ideal for both the people and their livestock. That detail is so important. This wasn’t just about finding a place for Jacob’s family to live; it was about ensuring the survival and flourishing of their entire community, their flocks and herds included. It speaks to the holistic nature of their needs.
And then, with a simple statement, the text sets the stage for the next chapter: "And these are the names of the sons of Jacob who went into Egypt with Jacob their father."
A new beginning. A new land. But also, a new set of challenges.
The Book of Jubilees offers us a snapshot of a family on the cusp of transformation. They are leaving behind the familiar, venturing into the unknown, guided by hope and the promise of reunion. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What "Egypts" are we hesitant to enter in our own lives? And what "Judahs" can we send ahead to prepare the way?