Jacob's work is done. His days on this earth were at an end. He knew it. And so he "drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last" (49:33) I love the way scripture describes what happened next ... "and he was gathered to his people." His body will be buried. And since he is living in Egypt, it is done according to Egyptian custom. But there is something so much stronger in the words - gathered to his people. Henry Morris describes is like this: "Jacob was not merely to be buried with the bodies of his people, but he was to join them in their life beyond the grave, awaiting the coming of Messiah and the great resurrection day."
Jacob is now - with his people. His final testimony to his offspring has to do with their returning to the land promised to them through Abraham and Isaac. He reminds them that, while prospering in Egypt, it is not their home. We must not forget that truth ourselves! This place is not our home. It's all we know and so we often cling to it harder than is wise. Remind yourself again today ... there is a promised land that is ours ... a kingdom where we DO belong ... a kingdom we have only a foretaste of among God's people here ... THAT is home. And one day ...
Jacob's burial processional was quite dramatic! The description of the entourage is staggering. What a journey Jacob has had during his lifetime. What a transformation from a deceiving young man, manipulated by so many women, in the pit of despair over the loss of treasured son ... to a true patriarch among God's people. He had wrestled with God earlier in his life and stated then that he would not turn loose until he was blessed. Well ... Jacob didn't turn loose ... and God blessed him.
It is interesting to note how the brothers reacted after Jacob was gone. Their guilt has not been assuaged. Their fear resurfaces. And the family pattern returns - create a lie to cover yourself! Maybe Jacob had really told them to say those things to Joseph ... but I don't think so. I think they made it up. And we witness another emotional scene. Family damage runs deep. Joseph assures them again that he holds no bitterness toward them. He repeats how God has used him to bring good and to sustain life. Perhaps - now - the brothers can be free from the guilt of their sin. I love Psalm 32:5:
Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" - and you forgave the guilt of my sin.Only God can remove the stain of guilt. Only God can offer you a clean conscience through the blood of Jesus. Let Him ... believe Him ... He can and will take away the guilt.
The book of Genesis closes with the very understated death of Joseph. He, too, has said to take his bones out of Egypt. Isn't it interesting to notice that Joseph went to Egypt at 17 years old and lived his entire life there. But, once again, he knew it was not his home. And so - the book of Genesis closes - but the story continues ...
About 400 years pass and we read in Exodus 13:19: You see ... the story continues ...
"Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.'"
There will be one more post for this series as we wrap up our study. Be thinking about lessons that have been meaningful to you from the study of these two great patriarchs ... Abraham and Joseph.
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