Where is Beersheba in relation to Jerusalem and Goshen?
Beersheba lies south of Jerusalem, roughly 80 to 90 miles away, and is almost due east of Goshen, the region of Egypt where Israel would later reside. Jacob came to Beersheba on his journey before God told him to continue down into Egypt.
Les explains that Middle Eastern geography matters here: Beersheba is down south of Jerusalem about 80-90 miles, and it is almost due east of Goshen, the part of Egypt where Israel would be. So Jacob was not all that far from where God was going to take him. In Genesis 46, Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba. There God spoke to him, saying, “Jacob, Jacob,” and then, “I am God, the God of thy father, fear not to go down into Egypt.” This was different from God’s earlier warnings to stay in Canaan, but God is sovereign and had a reason.
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.