God Intended it for Good

 Genesis 49:29—50:26, Joshua 24:32

 Beginning in Genesis 49:29 we read:

 Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.” – Genesis 49:29-32

I recently drove my father-in-law to the cemetery where his wife’s body is buried.  The grave stone had her name and the year she was born and the year she died, and it had his name on it and the year that he was born.  I noted how he had already made preparations to be buried next to her.  Here in Genesis 49 we read about how Jacob made preparations to be buried in a cave that he buried his first wife Leah.  His father Isaac and his grandfather did the same thing with their wives.  His grandfather Abraham had not only bought that cave but also the field where the cave was located. 

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. – Genesis 49:33

Note that it says that he was gathered to his people.  When we die our bodies stop breathing but our spirit goes to be with the Lord and to be with the rest of the people who have died in Christ. On the question of marriage and resurrection of the dead, in Matthew 22:29-32,

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” – Matthew 22:29-32

So, although in Egypt Israel breathed his last in this life, according to Jesus, Jacob/Israel’s spirit will be resurrected from the dead and will be like the angels in heaven because God has the power to raise his spirit from the dead.

Now back to today’s passage in Genesis 50. After Israel breathed his last we read that:

Joseph threw himself upon his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So, the physicians embalmed him, taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. – Genesis 50:1-3

The methods of embalming, or treating the dead body, that the ancient Egyptians used is called mummification. Using special processes, the Egyptians removed all moisture from the body, leaving only a dried form that would not easily decay. It was important in their religion to preserve the dead body in as life-like a manner as possible. So successful were they that today we can view the mummified body of an Egyptian and have a good idea of what he or she looked like in life, 3,000 years ago.  The process was very expensive and therefore very few common people were mummified.  

You may ask, “Why do dead bodies need to be embalmed?” The answer is legally, they don’t.  However, embalming accomplishes three goals: disinfection, preservation, and restoration. The remains are disinfected so that harmful microbes are destroyed, preserved so that the natural processes of decomposition are slowed, and restored so that an eased appearance can be returned to the person for their friends to view.  Unlike the ancient Egyptian practice of embalming, today’s embalmed bodies are not spared from natural decomposition, which begins a few days to a week after embalming. However, for medical purposes and extenuating reasons, bodies can be kept for six months to two years. Bodies that are not embalmed, on the other hand, begin decomposing almost immediately.

That is why we read in John 11: 38-39

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” He said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” – John 11:38-39

So, you see even in Jesus’ time it was common knowledge that a dead body that was not embalmed would decay and begin to stink.

When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’” – Genesis 50:4-5

Note Joseph’s respect for authority here.  Joseph has authority over all of Egypt.  Yet he asks Pharaoh for permission for time off to bury his father.  He even makes his request through the proper channels so that there is no mistake or misinterpretation in anyone’s mind about his intention to return.  As John indicated in last Sunday’s message, communication is very important when it comes to succeeding in an important major project.  Poor communication can easily scuttle the best laid plans.

Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt—besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company. – Genesis 50:6-9

This reminds me of the recent funeral for Queen Elizabeth, II.  More than 500 heads of state and dignitaries made up the 2000 guests invited to her funeral.  Among them were the President of the United States of America, the French President, Canada’s Prime Minister, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, the British Prime Minister, the King and Queen of Spain and the Emperor and Empress of Japan, just to name a few of the 500 heads of state and dignitaries. 

When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim. – Genesis 50:10-11

So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field. After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father. – Genesis 50:12-14

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs, we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. – Genesis 50:15-17

Here we get a glimpse of what has been on the minds of Joseph’s brothers for more than 17 years.  They have not accepted the forgiveness that Joseph gave them. Instead they worry that his mercy and forgiveness may not be permanent.  They worry that Joseph may have a change of heart after their father dies and want to punish them for the past sins against him.  So, they come up with this plan to lie so that Joseph would honor their father’s last wishes and forgive them.  Even after 17 years of Joseph providing for them every day but they still doubted his forgiveness and mercy.

Many religious people today do the same thing.  They can’t believe God could or would forgive them permanently so they try to earn forgiveness from Him by doing good works.  Little do they know that good works won’t save them.  Isaiah 64 verses 5b and 6 says:

How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. – Isaiah 64:5b-6

Apparently Joseph’s brothers finally realized that their lie would not save them because:  

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. – Genesis 50: 18-21

Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. – Genesis 50:22-23

Note 110 years is 54 years after his father’s death.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. – Genesis 50:24-26

An article appeared originally in the June and July 1999 Levitt Letters about how some modern Egyptologists think that they have found the possible palace, tomb and statue of Joseph in an archaeological dig in an area in Goshen.

There in Goshen one last stunning piece of evidence for Joseph exists, and that brings us back to his burial in Goshen, and his bones that were removed by Moses at the time of the Exodus. In this same area in Goshen, where a large contingent of Semites lived, a great palace has been discovered, with a garden and a tomb, curious in its combination of Egyptian and Semitic styles. The Archaeologist Rohl and his colleagues believe the palace is that of Joseph, perhaps his retirement villa after many years of service to Pharaoh. It has two apartments in front, suggesting the living quarters of his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In the rear are the more spacious living quarters of the prime occupants, perhaps Joseph and his Egyptian wife.

Adjacent to the ruins of the palace, there is an elegant garden area, and in the garden was an unusual tomb. The tomb was in the shape of a small pyramid, but it is clear that the vault was broken into and the remains removed. However, the damage to the tomb was not like that done by the all-too-common grave robbers of Egypt. It appears to be a careful and methodical removal of bricks from the tomb, as one would expect where the bones of Joseph were carefully removed from his long-used grave by Moses. Could it be that we have here the very tomb of the great patriarch Joseph? This relatively new evidence certainly takes it out of the realm of mythology, even for the hardened scientist, and into the realm of accurate history.

But there is more. In the tomb complex, there are ruins of an ancient statue, also unusual in its design and subject matter. It has been violently smashed almost beyond recognition, but enough of it has been found to piece together a possible identification. The statue is of a man who had obvious stature in the Egyptian power structure, with the symbol of Pharaoh’s authority, the throw-stick, on his chest. Yet he also has an unusual Semitic hairdo, with flaming red hair, and wears a coat with variegated colors. The statue has been deliberately smashed and defaced, with an obvious attempt to destroy the head and face. It is as though the remaining Egyptians were so angry with the Semitic inhabitants that, when the Semites left, the Egyptians tried to destroy any trace of their occupation.

 We read in Joshua 24:31-33 that:

Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel. And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants. – Joshua 24:31-33

Recall that in Genesis 37 we read: 

Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “Very well,” he replied. – Genesis 37:12-13

So, Joseph’s bones had come full circle from where he was with his father Jacob minding his own business prior to being kidnapped and sold into slavery by his brothers.  They meant it for evil but as the title of this message states “God intended it for good” in order to save the world from starvation.  In the same way, the Pharisees meant Jesus’ death on the cross for evil but “God meant it for good” to save us and the world from the punishment that was due us for our sins. Let’s pray.

Not My True Home

 Genesis 47:1-31

Good morning, everyone!  Today, we will look at Genesis 47 as we near the end of our series on the life of Joseph.  Last week, we saw how Jacob and his family packed up and moved from Canaan to Egypt as a result of the seven-year famine which affected everyone throughout Egypt and all the other lands.  Now that they all have arrived in Egypt, we will see how things work out for Israel and Egypt in the later days of the famine.

 

If you recall, Jacob and his family were staying at Hebron.  Then, they traveled south to Beersheba where God spoke to Jacob and told him it was God’s plan for Jacob’s family to go to Egypt.  As they approached Goshen, Judah was sent ahead to get directions.  Joseph learned that Jacob was arriving, and he went and met his father there in their new home.

 

Many tears were shed during this reunion where both father and son had expected they would never again see one another on this earth.  Joseph then explained the plan for how he would introduce them to Pharaoh.  That’s where we will pick up the story today.

 

Let’s pray and get into today’s passage.

 

Father God, help us to see freshly that as Jacob had not reached his true home when he arrived in Egypt, we have not reached, will not reach, our true home on this earth.  Thank You that You have prepared a place for us with You forever, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.” He took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” So, they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers.” They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.” – Genesis 47:1-4

 

So, this plan of coming to Goshen was actually a long time in the making.  Back in Genesis 45:10 when he reveals himself to his brothers, Joseph first says that they should come and live near him, in Goshen.  A few verses later in Genesis 45:18, Pharaoh tells Joseph that he will give them the best of the land of Egypt.  As mentioned in the end of Genesis 46, they get directions to Goshen.

 

When you start thinking it through, there’s a whole lot of repetition about this plan, and we’re not even done talking about it.  It struck me that when you are executing a big plan or making a big change, communication is key.  It seems redundant, and I guess it is, to keep saying the same thing over and over.  But if the goal is to get everyone on the same page from Pharaoh to the younger members of Jacob’s family, then you’re going to have to give the same direction again and again.  So, if you’re planning an event or a change, expect to have to repeat yourself, a lot.

 

It's interesting that Joseph took only a portion of his brothers.  In part, there was value in splitting up as there was much to do to set up camp initially in their new home.  Additionally, Joseph was a smart guy.  He wanted to present his brothers who would be able to stand before Pharaoh and represent their family well.  He didn’t want to take the brothers who were apt to treat the royal ways with contempt.  Maybe some were apt to talk out of turn or talk to each other when it was necessary to be silent.

 

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.” – Genesis 47:5-6

 

Interestingly, Pharaoh asked the brothers one question, what was their occupation.  They answered appropriately, but Pharaoh no longer speaks to the brothers but to Joseph.  There is a bit of a feeling of the Egyptian distaste for these foreign shepherds.

 

At the same time, Pharaoh does not withdraw his offer from Genesis 45:18.  He told Joseph then as now that his father and brothers should be settled in the best of the land.  The whole family is blessed because of Joseph, not because of anything they have done.  This is another parallel between Joseph and Jesus.

 

Pharaoh has clearly shown a great respect for Joseph, and this respect is now extended to the brothers again because of Joseph.  It’s a sort of back-handed compliment though, “if there are any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”  We don’t get some of the details that would be interesting to know.  What does Pharaoh know of Joseph and his history?  Even if he doesn’t know the particulars, Pharaoh has to have some impression that there is something odd about a situation where one child is separated from a family from his youth.  In the end, Pharaoh honors and defers to Joseph.

 

Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many years have you lived?” So Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.”  And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence. – Genesis 47:7-10

 

Pharaoh may have been surprised by Jacob’s appearance at his advanced age.  At this point, Joseph is 40 years old.  Jacob is 90 years older than Joseph.  That would be pretty surprising to see a father that looks older than a grandfather would.  In our time, you don’t often see adults asking one another how old they are.  I don’t know what the cultural norms of ancient Egypt would be about asking someone’s age, but if you’re the Pharaoh, I expect you can ask whatever question you please.

 

Jacob tells Pharaoh his age, 130 years.  Then, he says sadly that his days have been few and unpleasant.  Furthermore, he has not attained the years of his fathers.  His grandfather Abraham lived to be 175.  His dad Isaac lived to be 180 years old.

 

Jacob relates an important perspective about this life.  He uses the same expression of his own life and the life of his fathers: sojourning or pilgrimage.  It is evident that wherever they might be or however long they may live, they are on their way toward home.  This land, Canaan or Egypt, is not Jacob’s true home.

 

How does Jacob characterize his days: few and unpleasant.  This is even a “gentle” translation as the word unpleasant could be and more often is translated evil.  Looking back on his life, Jacob can see at many points he has been focused on himself and his flesh and worldly goods.

 

Have any of you listened to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during this series?  I have listened to a few songs here and there.  It’s a fun presentation of Joseph’s story, but it’s hardly a theological treatise.  There is a song about Jacob traveling to Egypt.  It’s a happy upbeat song that opens with the lyric, “So Jacob went to Egypt no longer feeling old.”  You could think that’s where Jacob’s heart would be.

 

The testimony that Jacob gives Pharaoh is for his whole life.  It should cause us to pause and reflect.  Psalm 39 gives us a good prayer which though written by David could have been Jacob’s prayer.

 

Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.  You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. ... Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with You as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. – Psalms 39:4-5, 12

 

If you belong to Christ, you are not of this world.  May we, too, live as foreigners and strangers.  And, let us dwell with Him.

 

One last observation about Genesis 47:7-10.  It says twice that Jacob blessed Pharaoh.  It’s a remarkable situation that Jacob blessed Pharaoh.  The Pharaohs were regarded as a god.  To receive Jacob’s blessing speaks of the regard that Pharaoh had for Joseph and at least indirectly for his God, our God.

 

So Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered. Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to their little ones. – Genesis 47:11-12

 

Joseph was the source of provision for the family of Jacob.  The entire family looked to Joseph and Joseph alone for provision.  There was nowhere else to look.  We’ve spoken at different times of how Joseph was a picture of Christ.  This is another one of the ways.  Joseph was the provider of the needs of the whole family.

 

Some readers have pointed out that the name Rameses was not the name of this area at the time of Joseph.  That is true, the name Rameses came later shortly after 1300 BC.  Jacob came to Egypt around 1875 BC.  There are at least three names used to describe this region in the bible:  Goshen, Rameses, and Zoan (Psalm 78:12, 43).  The point is that all three names are accurate for this region.  The three names are used by different authors or scribes at different times so that the readers could identify what place was being described.

 

Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone." – Genesis 47:13-15

 

The severity of the famine has caused both Egypt and the lands beyond to languish.  The only food is the food that Joseph prepared.  Joseph sells grain until all the money is collected.  It is a contrast from our time and even from Rome.  There was an obvious expectation that they would have to buy grain.

 

Joseph brought the money that he collected into Pharaoh’s house, not his own.  Joseph was an honest steward over Pharaoh’s kingdom.  What will Joseph do now that there is no money among the hungry people?

 

Then Joseph said, “Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent, and the cattle are my lord’s. There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh. So, give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate." – Genesis 47:16-19

 

The famine is still going, year after year.  The people bring all their livestock to Joseph so that they can have food.  And, the famine is still going.  All the people become servants of Pharaoh.  And, the famine is still going.  All the privately held lands become Pharaoh’s.

 

Through this famine, all the Egyptians except the priests become indentured servants of Pharaoh.  It was Joseph’s idea to give grain for livestock.  Interestingly, it was the people’s idea for Joseph to buy them and their land.

 

So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus, the land became Pharaoh’s. As for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt’s border to the other. Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had an allotment from Pharaoh, and they lived off the allotment which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore, they did not sell their land. – Genesis 47:20-22

 

Joseph brought the people to the cities, but as we will see, he does not keep them there.  It was an opportunity to make clear that their land was no longer their own, and that they now belonged to Pharaoh.  He physically brought the people off the land, then distributed seed for planting and allowed them to return to sow the land.

 

Only those who had an allotment from Pharaoh kept their freedom and their land.

 

Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have today bought you and your land for Pharaoh; now, here is seed for you, and you may sow the land. At the harvest you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food and for those of your households and as food for your little ones.” – Genesis 47:23-24

 

The rule of the years of abundance becomes the standing rule.  One fifth of each harvest must be returned to Pharaoh.  On the one hand, this sounds really tough to us, and in some ways, it is.

 

But globally in the present day, paying 20% of your total income as taxes isn’t rare.  I looked at some statistics and found that ~80% of the world’s population has a marginal tax burden 20% or more.  In the US, the estimate I saw was 35%.  ~30% of the world’s population including modern day Israel has a marginal tax burden of 40% or more.  Even the thought that we own our own land can be questioned.  In the US, we own property at the allowance or discretion of the government.  If a landowner cannot pay property taxes on their land, then a process begins where the government could ultimately foreclose and take that property from the owner.  I don’t share that to frighten but rather to just help us to recognize that thinking that we are “free” isn’t entirely true.  What should we think in response?  I think it should move us to look steadfastly to God as our provider.  How did the Egyptians respond to Joseph’s plan?

 

So they said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt valid to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh’s. – Genesis 47:25-26

 

The people were glad.  They wanted to be saved from the famine.  The terms for them seemed reasonable in light of the circumstances.

 

This brings out another parallel between Joseph and Jesus.  Because Joseph stored up grain for the people, he was able to purchase the entire world for Pharaoh.  How is that like Jesus?  Jesus sacrificed Himself and became the Bread of Life to all who believe in Him.  Revelation 5:9 says it like this, “With Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”  Those of us who have been purchased by God are glad, too.  Amen?

 

Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous. Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. – Genesis 47:27-28

 

We mentioned Pharaoh’s priests as those who kept their land.  There is also a contrast between Jacob’s family and the Egyptians.  The Egyptians sold their property to get grain while Jacob’s family was allowed to acquire property because of Joseph’s provision.

 

The Israelites would be in Egypt for a total of 430 years.  During that time, they multiplied from 70 people to more than two million.  Such a population growth or explosion is unusual, but I wouldn’t describe it as miraculous. (Matthew 3:9, Luke 3:8) The rate of growth works out to 2.5% per year.  For comparison in the current day, the United States is growing at 0.6% per year.  During the boomer years, US population growth peaked at 1.7% per year.  Many other nations have a population growth less than 1% and quite a few nations in Europe are shrinking from a negative population growth.  Israel’s population today is growing at 1.9% per year and while they maintain a slightly positive migratory balance, the majority of their growth is due to a high fertility rate, each woman having an average of 3 children.

 

To us, 147 seems an incredible age, but Jacob was right, compared to Abraham and Isaac, his life was shorter by 30 years.  Jacob had seventeen years in Egypt which no doubt felt like a restoration of some of the lost years with Joseph.  Additionally, this time was important for the formation of the beliefs and culture of Israel for Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh.  It’s outside the scope of our series, but Genesis 48 tells of how Jacob reckoned Joseph’s two oldest sons as two of his own sons.  In this way, Jacob gave Joseph a double portion of his inheritance which is how the oldest son was usually treated.  Ephraim and Manasseh were likely at risk of being more Egyptian than Israelite.  Having their grandfather around for 17 years and being named sons surely had an impression on them both.

 

Psalm 105 gives a history overview for us.  Verses 8 through 24 show God’s faithfulness and plan.

 

He remembers His covenant forever, the promise He made, for a thousand generations, the covenant He made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit." When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake He rebuked kings: "Do not touch My anointed ones; do My prophets no harm." He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and He sent a man before them--Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom. Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob resided as a foreigner in the land of Ham. The LORD made His people very fruitful; He made them too numerous for their foes. – Psalm 105:8-24

 

A key reason that God allowed the famine to impoverish the people of Egypt was to allow a safe environment for the nation of Israel to form.

 

Here are the last verses from Genesis 47.  We see at the end of his days Jacob is looking forward to the fulfillment of that covenant that Canaan shall be his inheritance.

 

When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” He said, “Swear to me.” So, he swore to him. Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed. – Genesis 47:29-31

 

This manner of confirming a promise with hand placed under thigh is the same way that Abraham charged his servant in sending him to get a wife for Isaac.  Experts have opinions about the significance, but I’ll stick with the simplest explanation of that’s just how they did it back then.

 

Asking Joseph not to bury him there, we see clearly that Egypt was not Jacob’s home despite acquiring property there.  He called Joseph to double pinky promise to carry his bones to the PromisedLland.

 

Our previous series was on the book of Hebrews.  In Hebrews 11, you find what has been called the hall of faith.  Jacob is included, and it says of him, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:21) Jacob blessed all his sons in Genesis 49, but in Hebrews, particular focus is given to the blessing of Joseph’s sons.  What was this blessing?  Genesis 48:15-16 says …

 

Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm --may He bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth." – Genesis 48:15-16

 

I thought it was interesting that the blessing of Joseph’s sons is described first as a blessing for Joseph himself.  No doubt, Joseph was blessed to see his father bless his sons.  We too can follow Jacob’s example and bless others. 

 

Jacob gives a solid testimony of the reality of God in his life.  God has been Jacob’s shepherd.  That is especially meaningful coming from a man who has been a shepherd all his life.  Likewise, God has been his deliverer.  May He bless these boys.  How?  That they would be part of God’s chosen people.  Then, after that, may they be blessed and increase.  But first, may they remain part of God’s family.

 

And so, as we said before, the Hebrews under Joseph were exempt from losing their physical blessings of land and property.  We as Christians under Christ have a far better exemption from losing our blessings.  We enjoy spiritual blessings described in Ephesians 1:3.

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. – Ephesians 1:3

 

What are some of those spiritual blessings?

 

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 2:6

 

Through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known. – Ephesians 3:10

 

I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. – John 14:20

 

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. – John 15:3

 

In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:5

 

You are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. – I Corinthians 1:30

 

It’s beyond comprehension what has happened to us in and through Christ.  We take these wonderful things and ponder them and await their full appearing.  And, we can share this hope that we have with others.  Let us pray and thank God for what He has done for us and look forward to our true home.  Amen.