JOSEPH IN EGYPT

 

22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.

 

     So after Joseph had reassured his brothers about his forgiveness he lived in Egypt for the rest of his life.  Now Joseph was 56, when he buried his father and showed this incredible act of forgiveness and loves.  So he lives another 54 years in Egypt.  He lived there with all his father’s family.  His duty was to care for and protect his family.  He would have been the Prime Minister as long as the king lived for he was trusted.  Joseph was also honored in Egypt because of his saving the country from a severe famine.  Joseph had the privilege of seeing the third generation of his family, his great grandchildren.  Some of our seniors here have that privilege.  Should Jesus tarry and it being the Lord’s will I look forward to that privilege.  The children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at Joseph’s feet.  The reason Makir is mentioned because he becomes the most important tribe of Manasseh. Placing children on one’s knees is akin to adopting them. This cements the connection between Joseph and Makir. Furthermore, these generations speak to Joseph being blessed with long life.  This is the privilege of being a follower of the Lord.  Longevity is a combination of good genes, good living, godly heritage, diet, exercise and choosing never to get old.  Look at me, I will be 39 again next birthday.  Joseph never returns to Canaan during his life time.  Joseph was the means for his family to get to Egypt.  It was here that Israel would become a great people and eventually need an Exodus and a Moses.  There is a divine plan in all of our lives.  God uses circumstances, people and situations to get us where we need to be.  We need to be open, sensitive and obedient to him to live in the middle of God’s will.

 

24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

 

But his life doesn’t last forever. Eventually, he’s on his deathbed, and he tells his brothers that he is about to die. There is no indication whether any of these brothers have already passed on.   This would have been the remaining family.  Joseph also look at all his family as a brotherhood of godly people in a foreign land.  Joseph again reassures them of divine protection and aid.  Joseph had been their benefactor, protector and friend for over 50 years.  He had been a go between them and the Egyptians.  With Joseph passing there was a lot of uncertainty.  Joseph had been a human representation of God and a link with the patriarchs.  Joseph had given them favor with a foreign people and now they were not sure what was going to happen next.  This always happens when a loved one is about to pass away.  We know that things will never be the same.   He reassures them God was behind all this and He will be there with them.  We have the promise today of Matt 28:20 that the Lord will never leave or forsake them.  Jesus gave this same reassurance in the upper room to his disciples.  Remember Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and forever.  What God did yesterday, he will do today and tomorrow.  God’s help, protection, guidance and love are consistent.  They would not be alone.  Remember the promises are yes and amen.  Good lesson for them and us.

     Joseph then gives them a prophetic promise. God will take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not the land that God has, on oath, promised to give them. They are in Egypt, not the Promised Land.  This land they are living in a temporary place.

     Remember Egypt is where they dwell but it is not their home.  A good lesson for us.  Like Israel we have a home.  We live in this world but are not of it.  Like Israel we are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  The brothers and their family had gotten use to Egypt.  They had made a life in Egypt.  They saw that Egypt was a place of plenty and security with Joseph.  Egypt had become familiar.  I have discovered that people will often stay even in a place that can be toxic because it is familiar.  It is what happening right now in Canada.  Certain parts of this country keep this federal government because it is the devil they know.  Joseph reminds them of God’s oath.  Even at the end Joseph is bringing God into their remembrance.  Egypt can get into us.  That is why we need constant reminders for God.  They had been in Egypt for almost 70 years to this point.  The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had only known life in Egypt under Joseph.  They needed to be reminded they were the people of God.  That is why we need to remind our families today.  Jesus told us He goes to prepare a place for us.  Remember any moment Jesus could come back.  That is why we must live ready.  You are not settlers here Joseph was telling them and us.

     Joseph then makes them swear an oath to take his bones back to Canaan.  Even though Joseph had left Canaan at the age of 17, it never left him.  Canaan was his identity, his happy childhood, the place where he was connected too.  To the Jew Canaan will always be the land of promise.  It is their identity, and it is the place that was promised to them.  Joseph wanted his bones to be buried there.  Talk about Claresholm.  Joseph was a patriarch the promise of firstborn had been given to him.  He was the head of the family here and so he is giving his final instruction.

 

26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

 

     Joseph lives to be a 110 and they embalm him and he was place in a coffin in Egypt.  Joseph was a high ranking official so he would have all the pomp and ceremony someone of his stature would have deserved.  Notice though there is no mention of mourning or even an extensive funeral.  Moses closes off Genesis with a simple statement.  This last chapter sets up the stage for the next chapter in Israel and that is the Exodus where Joseph bones would be carried back to Canaan and placed in burial place in Shechem.  Joseph’s tomb is there right now. 

 

Now I want to spend just a couple of moments talking about the lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life.

 

1.       No matter who you are you are not immune from bad things happening in your life.  Joseph was a prince in Canaan.

2.      Even bad things have a purpose.  Joseph through slavery, prison learned to trust God in a bad place.

3.      You can flourish and be successful even in ungodly and difficult places.  Bloom where you are planted.  Joseph flourished in Potiphar’s house and in prison.

4.      God is with you no matter where you go.  God was with Joseph and help him prosper.

5.      Even bad things can be stepping stones when we have a godly view, right attitudes and see them as they are.

6.      Be faithful where you are until promotion comes.

7.      Life can change in a moment.  Joseph went from prison to Prime Minister in a day.

8.      God will use the talents you have to work his will.  Joseph was wise, able to interpret dreams.

9.      Walk in forgiveness.  Remember you are not the judge.  Forgive immediately and reassure others you have.  Joseph did.  He forgave all who hurt him.

10.   Remember God has a bigger plan in mind for you when you trust Him.