We finish the final chapter of Genesis and the last days of Joseph’s extraordinary life. The nations of Egypt and Israel were blessed as a result of the Lord blessing Joseph.
Genesis 50:
1 Then Joseph fell on his father's face and wept over him and kissed him.
2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.
3 Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.
4 And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favour in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,
5 My father made me swear, saying, 'I am about to die: in my tomb that I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me.' Now therefore, let me please go up and bury my father. Then I will return."
6 And Pharaoh answered, "Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear."
7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,
8 as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father's household. Only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen.
9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen. It was a very great company.
10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and grievous lamentation, and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians." Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan.
12 Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them,
13 for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place.
14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.
God's Good Purposes
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him."
16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died,
17 'Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."
19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
The Death of Joseph
22 So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's house. Joseph lived 110 years.
23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph's own.
24 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here."
26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Things to think about…
Joseph and his brothers bury their father Jacob back in Canaan Gen 50:1-14. This cave is in modern day Hebron. Jacob’s identity was in the God of Israel, not the god’s of Egypt. We may be blessed in this life, but we should never be tempted to cling too tightly to the things the Lord provides for us while we are sojourning here. This is not our home.
Look at these brothers of Joseph, even as older men they still resort to lying to make sure Joseph has favour on them. Surely Jacob would have spoken directly to Joseph if he had said such a thing as the brothers suggest in Gen 50:17. Joseph tells them not to fear and that he will provide for them and their children, vs 21. He still reminds them that even though they meant for evil – the Lord meant for good. He is a marvellous example of the Lord’s compassion towards those who do not deserve it.
Joseph finally dies at 110. It seems he died younger than his brothers, Gen 50:24. Joseph was eventually taken to Shechem (modern day Nablus on the West Bank) and buried after the Exodus led by Moses 400 years later. The famine was long gone. Was there really any further reason for the Israelites to remain in Egypt? Should they have left Egypt at this point and taken Joseph’s body and resettled back in the land the Lord had called them to, in Canaan? We know that much suffering would arise after this point. But they had enjoyed the blessings of Egypt. That would always be hard to give up. Much the same as Christians who enjoy the pleasures of this world, but nothing should distract us from our heavenly inheritance.
Vision Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “A new name - Israel” came from Gen 35 by Ps Jay.
1. Jacob was told to return to Bethel. He wrestled with an angel (pre incarnate Christ) and receives a new name “Israel”. Israel means “wrestles with God”. When you got converted Christ gave you a new heart. Jacob rather than going to Bethel, goes to Shechem. He reaps from his rebellion. Discuss what happened and how this lesson instructs us today as Christians.
2. Bethel means ‘house of God’. Jacob asks his family to put away their foreign gods and idol symbols – earrings etc. He travels to Bethel and is told his name “Israel” again by the Lord. As Christians we often need reminding of our new identity. This is why it is important to go to the house of God – church, our modern day Bethel. Discuss this and the current pandemic crises and the new challenges Christians find themselves in.
3. We have a name from the Lord we will receive from him. This name is written on a white stone, Rev 2:17. What does this name and this white stone represent do you think?
4. It is important to maintain identity in Yeshua – Jesus. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, Acts 4:12. Discuss the importance of sharing the gospel in a world that has lost its identity in the Creator and what it means for you to preach Jesus as a Christian.
5. Pray for your cell group and prayer/praise points. Pray for our “Blessing Beirut” appeal as we endeavour to help these ‘sons of Abraham’.
Prayer Points
1.Pray for Lebanon and the people of Beirut with this accidental blast from the storage of ammonium nitrate. 157 confirmed dead. 5000 wounded, 300, 000 left homeless. $10 - $15 billion to rebuild.
2.Pray for those who heard the gospel on Sunday. Pray for Christ to grant them salvation.
3.Continue to pray for Victoria but also Qld as these new cases have arisen and the infections that will no doubt be confirmed over the next 2 weeks.
4.Pray for our church services would reach out into our community and beyond every Sunday.
5.Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
6.Sunday’s messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “Joseph just like Jesus” Gen 40-50 – Graham Willey.
7.Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
8.Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1.New visitors. Please pray that they receive Christ as their Saviour. Pray they keep coming back to CBC.
2.Wonderful spirit of joy in our church. Thankyou Jesus.
3.Finances being maintained and donations to Café roof ($5,145) and Blessing Beirut ($900). Thankyou!
1.We have established a “Blessing Beirut” fund. After prayer and seeking after a support partner the Lord has led us to Ras Beirut Baptist. We have received word back from them. Pray our gift would bless Beirut with the gospel.
2.One service at 9:30am Every Sunday morning. This service will also be live streamed. No kisses, hand-shakes or hugs are allowed. Hand sanitizer is to be used, tables will be wiped and chairs arranged for appropriate distancing. Families can of course sit together. CBC is allowed up to 50 people inside, then we will have an overflow in the house and Kids church will be in the crèche in the cafe.
3.Cell groups – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
4.Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5.Kids Church will be run in the house when the message starts.
Q. 15. What do we pray for in the fifth petition? A. That God would pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and enable us to forgive those who have wronged us.
