Acting in faith. In Hebrews 11:1 it defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.” Joseph’s final words were words of faith as he asked the people to promise something that they couldn’t even really imagine at that point. Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” Genesis 50:25 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.25.NASB Joseph knew that God had a promised to take the people of Israel back to the Promised Land at some point, and Joseph want to go and be part of that promise as well.…

God’s promises endure. Joseph had seen that very thing throughout his entire life and now, here at the end, he wants to make sure that everyone else knows it too. Read Genesis 50:22-26. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” Genesis 50:24 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.24.NASB God had promised them that they would return to the promised land. Joseph understood that God’s promises live on and are not dependent on us, but on God. Joseph didn’t have to be…

Empathy and compassion. In the past two days we have seen how Joseph has allowed himself to be changed by God as a result of all that has happened to him. He has accepted that God is in charge and not him. Because of this, he has peace in God and all that God has allowed to happen to him through his life. Now, because of this, we see that he has empathy and compassion for his brothers. Read Genesis 50:21. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:21 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.21.NASB Joseph…

Peace. Joseph is at peace with his situation, circumstances, and everything that has happened his life. Now at the end, after his father’s death, while he is dealing with his brothers’ uncertainty, Joseph shares what he has learned from God about the reason why all of this happened in the first place. Read Genesis 50:20. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.20.NASB Joseph wanted his brothers to understand what he understood. That while they made a choice that was wrong, God was able to use what…

Joseph’s brothers were nervous. Actually, they were downright terrified. Joseph had been so nice and cool about the huge wrong they had done him. But, was he just waiting until Jacob died to see about getting revenge? Well, now that Jacob has died, what is Joseph going to do with them? Read Genesis 50:14-21. But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? Genesis 50:19 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.19.NASB Joseph understood what many of us are still learning and that is about who is actually in charge of judging others. And it’s not us. We can hold people accountable for their actions, but God is the…

Jacob died and made his sons promise to bury him in Canaan. So, off they head to Canaan with s very large company of people. Read Genesis 50:4-14. Now when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning for the Egyptians.” Therefore it was named Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan. Genesis 50:11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.11.NASB This would have been a strange sight for the locals to see such a large company of people and especially Egyptian officials coming to Canaan to bury this person. Yet Joseph and his brothers did exactly what Jacob asked them…

The death of Jacob. Joseph had finally been reunited with his father and then he passes away. Chapter 49 of Genesis deals primarily with the various blessings that Jacob gives before he dies and then read Genesis 50:1-3. Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him and kissed him. Genesis 50:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.50.1.NASB Jacob has died and Joseph is listed as the only one who mourns him. None of the others are listed as weeping for him or looking to take care of the responsibilities involved with burial or carrying out his last wishes. Joseph handled all that. Joseph treated his father in death the same way…

It’s really the first time we see Joseph flustered. I mean, throughout the entire story of his life, we’ve read about how he has accepted everything that has come his way. Now, in Genesis 48:13-22, Joseph tries to change what is happening. When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Genesis 48:17 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.48.17.NASB I’m sure Joseph had heard the stories of how Jacob had stolen the birthright and blessing intended for his older brother from his father Isaac. Yet, when he took his two sons to…

Expectations. We all have some level expectations that we work toward. Israel (Jacob) had expectations about Joseph, but those were based on the lie that Joseph was dead. Now that he knows he is alive, he got to do several things that he never expected. Read Genesis 48:1-12. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.” Genesis 48:11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.48.11.NASB God does unexpected things in our lives all the time. Just when we think we know what is coming, God turns the tables in a way that only He can. God’s plans, while not always expected,…

What do we associate with and where is our focus? Jacob had gone to Egypt and was going to live in Egypt, but he wasn’t of Egypt. He made that very clear with his final request. Read Genesis 47:27-31. 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.” Genesis 47:30 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.47.30.NASB Jacob knew that even though he and his family were here for now, this was not their home and this was not their promise. So Jacob asked to be carried back, in death, where he…