of Joseph's absence he bad suspected Judah of having made
away with Rachel's son.[310] How little the suspicion was
justified he realized now when Judah in particular had been
assiduous in securing the safety of Benjamin, the other son
of Rachel. Jacob therefore said to Judah: "Thou hast done
a pious, God-bidden deed, and hast shown thyself to be a
man capable of carrying on negotiations with Joseph. Complete
the work thou hast begun! Go to Goshen, and together
with Joseph prepare all things for our coming. Indeed,"
continued Jacob, "thou wast the cause of our going down
into Egypt, for it was at thy suggestion that Joseph was sold
as a slave, and, also, through thy descendants Israel will be
led forth out of Egypt."[311]

When Joseph was informed of the approach of his father,