That’s kind of how Jacob must have felt, facing the prospect of his family’s descent into Egypt.

The stories tell us that Jacob, also known as Israel, was deeply concerned about the future. He knew, through prophecy, that his descendants were destined for slavery in Egypt. Talk about a daunting prospect! But in his moment of doubt, something incredible happened. The Shekhinah – the Divine Presence – spoke to him.

Imagine that. A direct line to the Almighty.

The Shekhinah, calling his name twice, a sign of deep affection, reassured him, "Do not fear." (Legends of the Jews). God knew of the suffering to come, the years of bondage that awaited his children, but He promised to have pity and ultimately deliver them. This wasn't just a vague promise, though. God declared, "I will go down into Egypt with thee."

Think about the implications! The Divine Presence itself would accompany Jacob and his family into exile. The text says it was the Shekhinah’s presence that brought the total number of people entering Egypt with Jacob to seventy. (Legends of the Jews). Seventy souls, carrying the weight of a prophetic destiny, but also carrying the promise of divine companionship.

But Jacob still had worries. He feared his descendants might become permanently assimilated, lost to the allure of Egyptian culture. He wondered, would they ever leave? So God reassured him, promising to lead him and all those like him – the pious and righteous – out of Egypt.

There was another, very personal, concern weighing on Jacob’s mind: his son Joseph. Remember, Joseph had been sold into slavery years before and had risen to prominence in Egypt. Jacob worried about Joseph’s spiritual state, his ability to remain faithful to God in a foreign and potentially corrupting land.

God, knowing Jacob’s heart, told him that Joseph had remained steadfast in his piety, even in Egypt. (Legends of the Jews). According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Jacob’s anxiety about Joseph’s faithfulness was the main reason he was considering going down to Egypt in the first place. He just wanted to make sure his son was okay, and then return home. But God commanded him to go there and remain.

So, Jacob, reassured and commanded, made his descent into Egypt. The journey wasn't just a geographical relocation; it was a step into the heart of a divine plan. It was a testament to faith, to the enduring power of the Divine Presence, and to the promise of redemption, even in the darkest of times.

What does this story tell us about our own journeys into the unknown? About the times we feel like we're facing insurmountable challenges? Perhaps it reminds us that even when we feel most alone, most vulnerable, the Shekhinah – the Divine Presence – is with us, guiding us, and promising a future of hope and redemption. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the midst of exile, spiritual faithfulness can not only endure but even thrive.