The account of Joseph’s life from the young age of seventeen to his death at the age of 110 in the last several chapters of Genesis (37-50) is encouraging. Joseph clung to God in faith throughout all the ups and downs. When Joseph was betrayed, falsely accused, and forgotten by others, he still trusted God. When doing what was right seemed to bring about suffering, Joseph did not give up on God. When tempted by those around him with the fleeting pleasures of sin, he thought about God (Gen. 39:9). Sold into the land of Egypt, he did not realize until afterward how much his brothers hated him, why his father hadn’t come for him, how much Potiphar’s wife wanted him, or when things would get better. He also did not yet realize God was using him. God was able to use Joseph to save the lives of many, including the children of Israel (Gen. 50:20). What a tremendous account of God’s providence. What an example of faith.
It is no surprise, then, that Joseph is included in the examples of faith in Hebrews 11. But what is said about Joseph here is not any of the aforementioned particulars about his journey to becoming the highest-ranking official under Pharaoh in Egypt. Instead, Hebrews 11:22 says, “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.” His faith is described in terms of what he did at the end of his life. When Joseph’s time on earth was nearing its end, his faith looked forward in assurance to that which was yet unseen (Heb. 11:1). He mentioned the future exodus of the Israelites, knowing God would fulfill the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 50:24). Though Joseph spent the majority of his life in Egypt, getting married and having children there, his true home was elsewhere. He wanted his remains to be carried from Egypt when the Israelites departed (Gen. 50:25). His body was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt (Gen. 50:26). Just as they had solemnly sworn, Israel, by the leadership of Moses, took Joseph’s bones out of Egypt (Ex. 13:19). They were later buried at Shechem after Joshua had led Israel to settle the promised land (Josh. 24:32).
Instead of only thinking about today, we should orient our lives by first considering our final destination and working our way back to today. Preparing to die and be with the Lord in the future, involves living by faith in the present. Just as Joseph had confidence that his remains would be taken to the promised land after his death, Christians can look forward in confidence that God will make good on the promise to give rest to our souls and give us entrance into heaven (Heb. 4:1-9; 12:23). Come and be with us this week as we learn to live by faith in a faithless age, to consider preparations we should make as our lives and the lives of our loved ones on this earth approach their end, and look with confidence to the future of an eternal home with God.
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