The Lantern

Testament of Jacob4

testament-of-jacob

And when he had said this to him, the angel left him in peace and returned to the heavens, while Jacob gazed after him. And those who were in the house heard him giving thanks to the Lord and glorifying him with praises.

And all his sons gathered round him, from the youngest to the eldest of them, all in tears and in great distress, saying, "He is about to go away and leave us."

And they said to him, "What shall we do, beloved father, for we are aliens in a foreign land?"

And Jacob said to them, "Do not be afraid, for God appeared to me in Mesopotamia saying: ‘I am the God of your fathers: do not be afraid: I am with you for ever, and with your descendants that shall come after you for ever: the land on which you are standing I will give to you and your descendants for ever.’

And again he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid to go down into Egypt; I will go with you down to Egypt; and I will increase your numbers, and your descendants shall flourish for ever, and Joseph shall lay his hands upon your eyes.

And your people shall increase greatly in Egypt; and then they shall return to me here, and I will do them good because of you. But now you must leave this place.’