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…
1. 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 gods 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.
2. 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 exemplifies Jesus here by being the one who promises to care for them. Even at the cross Jesus shows love and grace by providing for others. Men meant the cross for evil, but God the Father meant it for good by saving the lost. There is no better news than this.
3. Joseph finally dies at 110 and asks that his bones be taken when God the Lord visits them, Gen 50:25. It seems he died younger than his brothers, Gen 50:24. Moses takes the bones with him, Ex 13:19. Joseph was eventually taken to Shechem (modern day Nablus on the West Bank) and buried at the Exodus led by Moses 400 years later, Josh 24:32. 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, in Canaan? We know that much suffering would arise after this point. But they had enjoyed the blessings of Egypt. That was always going to be hard to give up.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. A landslide and flooding has occurred in Nepal. Hundreds have perished.
2. Pray for peace as Iran, Israel and Ukraine.
3. Pray for the church in Australia to rise up and preach the entire truth of scripture.
4. Our political leaders in Australia and the spiritual heart of our country.
5. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast and our online ministry and Lyle Shelton’s book launch.
6. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
7. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
8. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
9. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
10. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, Kids@church, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
11. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
12. Finances to cover our needs
13. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the ministry of Tuesday night’s book launch. Lyle Shelton, Matthew Littlefield and Ryan Watson were all a great encouragement.
2. Praise the Lord for our children and grandchildren 😊.
3. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church, Worship, Technical, administration
4. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
5. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Graham, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
6. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Prayer meeting 5:30pm and life group, Wednesday 6:30pm.
2. Business meeting 6th Sept after the morning service.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for August...
Q. 4. How can you glorify God? A. By loving him and doing what he commands.
