Joseph’s Promise to His Brothers And His Death
May 18, 2024
Commentary
Now that Jacob was dead, the brothers, fearing that Joseph would deal harshly with them for their past deeds, pleaded for forgiveness(vv. 15-21). Once again they offered to be Joseph’s slaves. However, after weeping he reassured them that all that had happened was a part of God’s plan and that he planned to continue to provide for them. The story of Joseph’s death and burial is told in the next five verses and with that death the book of Genesis ends (vv. 22-26):
1. Joseph’s dwelling (v. 22). – “And Joseph dwelt in Egypt.” Even though he had success and influence, his heart affections were in the promised land and not Egypt.2. Joseph’s descendants (v. 23). – “And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation.”
3. Joseph’s discernment (v. 24). – “I die, he said, and God will surely visit you out of this land unto the land which he swear to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.”
4. Joseph’s demand (v. 25). – “And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry my bones from hence.”
5. Joseph’s death (v. 26). – “So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.”
John Phillips in his book EXPLORING GENESIS says this about the book of Genesis. It begins with creation and ends with a coffin. It begins with glory and ends with a grave. It begins with the vastness of eternity and ends with the shortness of time. It begins with the living God and ends with a dead man. It begins with a blaze of brightness in heaven and ends with a box of bones in Egypt.
Joseph’s life is a reminder that sometimes God may allow us to go through difficult times, but no matter how unfair, we can be sure that God will use it for good. The book of Genesis ends with a solemn reminder of the curse of sin, which brings death to every man. This should remind us of our great need of redemption which only God through his Son Jesus Christ can give.
Application
It is great to be ready to die. Like Joseph I could make provisions for my burial but far more important than that is what I have done in making preparation to be with the Lord.
Genesis 50:15– 26 (NET)
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay us in full for all the harm we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave these instructions before he died: 17 ‘Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father.” When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept. 18 Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.” 19 But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day. 21 So now, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children.” Then he consoled them and spoke kindly to them.
22 Joseph lived in Egypt, along with his father’s family. Joseph lived 110 years. 23 Joseph saw the descendants of Ephraim to the third generation. He also saw the children of Makir the son of Manasseh; they were given special inheritance rights by Joseph.
24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to you and lead you up from this land to the land he swore on oath to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” 25 Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He said, “God will surely come to you. Then you must carry my bones up from this place.” 26 So Joseph died at the age of 110. After they embalmed him, his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Illustration: Do You Want to Go to Heaven
An evangelist asked all who wanted to go to heaven to raise their hands. Everyone in the audience did so, except one elderly black man sitting near the front of the auditorium. The preacher pointed his finger at him and said, ‘Sir, don’t you want to go to heaven?’ ‘Sure I want to go, but the way you put the question, I figured you were getting up a busload for tonight!’ (Source unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).