Dei Break
Genesis 50
At his death, Egypt honored Jacob (Israel) (vs.1-14). He was even embalmed according to Egyptian custom, a very effective means of preserving one's body. That brings up an interesting question—might his body still be in existence, waiting for discovery?
The caravan that carried Jacob back to Canaan must have been fantastic. The Canaanites saw it and wondered what great man of Egypt had died who they would bring back to Canaan for burial. Jacob was buried in the Promised Land, but the family's flocks and children had remained behind in Goshen. It had already been decided that the people of Israel would continue to live in Egypt. Joseph had already been in Egypt 39 years, making him 56 years old at this time.
Joseph's brothers just couldn't get used to his forgiving nature (vs.15-21). They still feared that this powerful man would seek revenge. His assurance to them that God had already taken their evil deed and turned it into good can be a reminder to us to seek the good that God can bring out of our own times of trial. It's not what we deserve, but it's what His love for us provides.
Joseph lived on another 54 years, being an integral part of events that we can only imagine, and wonder, "What if someone found a journal describing the rest of his life?" After his death he also was honored and embalmed by his adopted country. His last request of his brothers' families was that they would one day carry his body back to Canaan to be buried in the family plot purchased by his grandfather, Abraham (vs.22-26).
Genesis ends with Joseph's death. Exodus continues the story of Jacob's descendants. As we begin to explore Exodus, keep in mind that though Genesis ends on one page and Exodus begins on the next, there was a span of 430 years between the entry of God's people into Egypt and their departure from the land.
Next Time: No Longer Honored
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