Joseph requested Pharaoh to let him go and bury his father in the grave prepared by Abraham where Jacob’s wives were buried in the land of Canaan. Pharaoh gave his permission, and Joseph went and buried his father in accordance with his wishes and – notice even Egypt mourned his passing for 70 days (v3). Not only that but all Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him as well as all the members of Joseph’s family and his brothers. Only the children were left behind in Goshen. I don’t know whether the Egyptian dignitaries went along to ensure they returned but whatever the reason they witnessed a Godly ceremony.
v15 After all the kindness Joseph showed to his brothers, it is strange that they still misunderstand him. Thinking that Joseph only protected them while their father was still alive and for his sake, the brothers display their guilt and fear that Joseph would now take revenge upon them now that their father was dead. They tell him that their father commanded that they should beg Joseph’s forgiveness. We don’t know if that was true, but we can only guess that it wasn’t because Joseph wept when he heard this (v17).
His reply is beautiful, v19 “Do not be afraid for am I in the place of God? (He wasn’t saying that he was god, but rather His representative, and he seems to be saying that it is God’s prerogative and His alone) You meant it for evil but God meant it for good …. To save many people alive. Do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your children.” And he comforted them (v21) and spoke kindly to them. His forgiveness is total, and no [JD3] [JH4] resentment is harboured.
How must The LORD weep when we doubt Him? “For God so loved the world ……. for God sent not His Son to condemn but that the world through’ Him might be saved …. he who does not believe is condemned already.” (John 3:16,17,18)
“You are a chosen generation ………………… called out of darkness ……………… “ (1 Peter 2:9,10)
“There is now no condemnation ……………… “ Romans 8:1
v22-26 Joseph lived 110 years (93 in Egypt) He called his family (v24) and told them he was dying and reminded them “God will surely visit you and bring you out of this land …. “
Joseph’s thoughts are ever God ward. His heart is already in the land of promise, and he requests that they bury him there. Even after 93 years he never forgot God’s promise. He requests that they carry his bones from there. He would have been entitled to a state funeral in Egypt, but his request was clear and when they left the land of Egypt at the exodus, Moses took Joseph’s bones (Exodus 13:13) and after 40 years wanderings in the wilderness, Joshua saw to the burial in Shechem. (Joshua 24:32)
Joseph implies that there would come a time when God would seem far away from them and I’m sure that was so especially when they were slaves in Egypt and harshly treated by the then Pharaoh. But he assures them “that God will surely visit you.” These words were words of hope that there would come a day when they would return to their own land. They obviously believed him for they embalmed his body and put it in a coffin and kept it there in Egypt.
What an amazing visitation it was. Years later, Moses was preserved from slaughter in a miraculous way – 40 years learning to be a somebody as a prince in the house of Pharaoh’s daughter, then 40 years learning to be a nobody on the run as a murderer in the backside of the desert looking after sheep; then returning to Egypt asking for the release of the Children of Israel, and eventually 40 years, learning what God could do with a nobody, leading them through the wilderness and almost to the entrance of the Promised Land.
This was no accident what Joseph went through. It was all God’s doing in a marvelous way. There were many ups and downs. It must have seemed that God had forgotten them, especially to Joseph. Those years in the palace after being thrown in a pit, then those years in prison for something he never did.
What was Joseph’s secret? “l fear God” God was an ever-present reality. The man/woman who sets out as Joseph did to put God first whatever the circumstances will never be let down by God.
Hebrews 11:22 says “By faith Joseph when he was dying made mention of the departure of the Children of Israel and gave instruction concerning his bones. “
“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world; without faith, it is impossible to please God. “
Did you notice where he was buried – at Shechem, not far from where his brothers had plotted against him and thrown him into the pit? (see 37:12).
Joseph looked beyond what was taking place in his life to the promises of God, to a better land, the Promised Land. We too should look beyond this life, to a better place – Heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:10 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.”
Things down here are often hard to understand – illness, sorrow, unemployment, disappointment. It is not easy to see that “All things work together for good for them that love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) We may not be able to explain everything now, but God knows everything, and He will not let us down.
I don’t believe that God planned all that happened to Joseph, but I am certain that He was with him through it all.
Things may often seem bad down here. The political situation may get us down. Your circumstances may seem to be desperate, often unbearable. I’m sure it did in Bible times. There were often times when it seemed that God had lost control. But I can assure you that He had not and He still has not.
Jesus said, “Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory….” (John 17:24)
They had the words of Joseph to give them hope for the future, we have the words of our Saviour Himself.
I close with a quote – “The believer does not choose where he or she will serve The LORD; that is The LORD’s choice …. Joseph’s life has proved that what God wants is best so let’s leave the choice to Him. The simplest life can relay blessings that can move a continent for God …. you can be one of God’s men or women for your generation. Don’t just dream it, BE IT.”
Quotes from the Late Derrick Bingham (More than just a dream) Ambassador Press.
