07/19/2020
Amazing, we made it, the last chapter of Genesis. It began 17 months ago, not quite as long as our 2 year study in the book of Luke, but pretty close. Let's jump right in because I thought I would do a look back at the 'whole' book of Genesis at the end of this lesson for those who may not have been there from the beginning.
Genesis 50:
'Sin had come in, and death by sin!'
(1) Joseph weeps over his father and directs his servants to embalm him, a common practice for the Egyptians that most of us are aware of if we've studied any history. It stated that 40 days were required for him, in doing some research, the embalming process was done in 2 phases. The 1st phase took 30 days and the 2nd phase to an additional 40 days, hence, the 70 days the Egyptians mourned for him.
(2) The embalming process surely helped with being able to follow Jacob's charge to them to be buried with his fathers in the land of Canaan. It was not a short and smooth journey at all.
(3) Joseph gets permission from Pharaoh to leave Egypt and do as his father commanded. Not only did Pharaoh grant it, but all the servants and elders of Egypt went along with Joseph and his brothers households with the exception of the little ones, and flocks and herds stayed in Goshen. This was a huge undertaking, almost a precursor to the actual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt as recorded in the book of Exodus.
(4) When they got beyond the Jordan river, they stopped and mourned an additional 7 days and the Canaanites took notice. It's here where it seems the Egyptians stayed as the sons of Jacob carried him to the place in the land of Canaan where the cave was and buried him there as directed, verse 13.
(5) They return to Egypt and with Jacob now gone, Joseph's brothers were not only grieving but still feeling guilty about what they did to Joseph, those many years ago and yet after 17 years in the land of Egypt with him, Joseph never retaliated. When Jacob wasn't around is when they plotted their evil plan, Genesis 37:17-20. They actually end up bowing again to him, fulfilling the dream he described to them back in Genesis 37.
(6) Joseph weeps for the 7th and final time when he hears their cry for forgiveness. Hasn't he shown them enough mercy and goodness in his dealings with them these past 17 years, but they still don't trust him. (seems to be a family trait) He responds to them with what the providence of God is all about, "they intended it for evil, but God meant it for good." This phrase is quoted tons of times throughout history by many a believer, I know I've quoted it many times.
(7) Joseph continues his response saying, "do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. verse 21.
(8) Between verse 21 and 22 we have a span of about 50 years. Joseph lives to 110 years old and still speaks comfort to his brethren, speaking the promise of God that, "God will surely visit you and bring you out of this land He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." He also made them take an oath to carry his bones from Egypt, which Moses eventually will accomplish in Exodus 13.
2 Coffins:
(1) If you have read this chapter for the first time or were unaware of who God is and how He is in control, this may seem a little depressing. Not much is said of the last 50 years of Joseph's life and we begin the chapter with Jacob being embalmed, put in a coffin and buried, And we end with Joseph being embalmed and put into a coffin to be buried at a latter date.
(2) Before I get into the review of the 'whole' book of Genesis, I titled this lesson, 'Sin came in, and by death sin! Actually sin did come in through Adam and now as we end in Genesis, we are faced with the reality of sin and that is death. But there is hope and both Jacob and Joseph displayed that in what they said concerning God's blessing of the promise land.
(3) Jacob discovered it later in life, he talked a lot about his death back when Rachel died and he thought Joseph was dead and Simeon was probably dead in Egypt and now they want to take Benjamin too. Jacob reversed his negative attitude on death when he said in Genesis 49:29, "I am to be gathered to my people." Just as Isaac said back in Genesis 35:29 and Abraham did back in Genesis 25:8. It was an expression of hope of life after death. Jesus even said in Matthew 22:32, speaking about resurrection to the Saducces, God said, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Otherwise He would have said, "I was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Joseph also wanted to be buried in the land of promise, he had the same hope.
(4) We tend to act just like Joseph's brothers when trusting in Jesus Christ. We're waiting for Him to bring up past 'sins' and pounce on us, instead of trusting Him to provide for us, not only the way to salvation, but to give us life and truth. "I am the way, the truth and the life." John 14:6
(5) We should not be afraid of death because we too have promises from God, "Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire, This the second death, and anyone not written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:14-15. We may suffer a physical death, unless Jesus Christ comes back before that happens, but we will experience eternal life when we put our trust in Him. We also have a promised land to look forward to just as those Israelites do in the land of Canaan, read on to Revelation 21, your's already there in Revelation 20:14-15, read on!
For another Sunday:
I think I will hold off on the review of the book of Genesis until next week, was getting a little to excited and I may have missed a few points in this lesson just thinking about it, so, until next Sunday.
