Today’s passage: Genesis 50:1-26
Helpful thoughts:
- With the permission and support of Pharaoh, the children of Israel went to Machpelah to bury their father.
- There were so many Egyptians that accompanied the family, the locals spoke of Abel-Mizraim (The mourning of Egypt).
- In their fear, the brother once more relied on dishonesty to trick Joseph into preserving their lives. But their fears were unfounded and their dishonesty unnecessary (As it always was). Joseph knew who had truly brought him to Egypt and he also understood why. This had been God’s doing.
- Jacob had thought Joseph died at 17. In truth, he lived 110 years.
- Before Joseph died, he reassured the people of God’s promise to take them home to the Promised Land. Therefore, he gave the command to take his remains back to the land of his birth, the land of promise.
Questions to consider:
- How does Joseph again picture Jesus Christ? In what way did Jesus leave behind His home, go to foreign place, get mistreated and suffer in order to save many people?
- What do we learn about the providence of God in verses 19-20? Didn’t the brothers sell Joseph into slavery? Wasn’t it their intention and desire to get rid of their brother? Weren’t they responsible? And yet, who ultimately brought this about?
- How do Joseph’s final instructions prepare the reader for the next book in the Old Testament? What is God about to do next?