To alleviate Jacob's concerns, the Lord assured him, "I will make you into a great nation there." The realization of a numerous lineage would indeed not be thwarted by Jacob's departure to Egypt, as history would later reveal. The Hebrews entered Egypt as a mere 75 individuals (Genesis 46:27), but over the course of 200 years, by the time of the Exodus, their number swelled to 600,000, not including women, children, the elderly, and others. Ironically, the stronger the Egyptians oppressed them following Joseph's death, the more they multiplied under God's blessing (Exodus 1:12).
Additionally, Jacob might have feared misfortune or death due to the hardships associated with such a long journey, especially at his advanced age. However, the Lord reassured him with the promise of His presence: "I will go with you to Egypt." Jacob may also have been troubled about how God's assurance that his offspring would inherit the land of Canaan (Genesis 28:13-14) could materialize if he was leaving that very land. God comforted him, saying, "I will bring you back again." This meant just as He would accompany Jacob into Egypt, He would ultimately lead him back through his descendants to the promised land given to Abraham and Isaac. Regarding Jacob personally, the Lord declared, "Joseph will close your eyes," signifying that although he would pass away in Egypt, it would be his beloved son, whom he presumed lost, who would be there to comfort him in his final moments and gently close his eyes at the hour of death.
THEOSIS