THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: GENESIS AND EXODUS (15)

GENESIS 48-50

FINAL DAYS OF JACOB AND JOSEPH

Key Passage: Genesis 50

CHAPTER 48	Chapter 49	CHAPTER	50
Joseph’s Sons Blessed	Joseph’s Sons Blessed	Jacob’s Death and Burial	Joseph’s Dream
Jacob’s	Last Days	Joseph’s	Last Days

OVERVIEW Chapters 48-50 conclude the Book of Genesis by recording the final acts of Jacob and Joseph, along with their deaths and burials. Jacob’s blessing upon Joseph’s two sons, announcing that the younger would be more honored than the older, is in keeping with the pattern established in Genesis (Isaac instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, Joseph instead of Reuben). As his final earthly act, Jacob blesses each of his 12 sons, giving a divinely guided pronouncement of their future history. Jacob’s body is embalmed and taken back to Canaan for burial, while Joseph’s body remains in Egypt until the release of the newly born nation of Israel.

All Christ’s blessings are like Him: spiritual and heavenly.

OUR DAILY WALK Do you sometimes wish your life could count more for God-that you could have more of an impact for good in the lives of those around you? You plod along faithfully, but nothing much every seems to come of it. In fact, you’re tempted to throw in the spiritual towel.

God’s plan is larger than any one person. In an amazing way, He weaves together the lives of many different people to accomplish His will. Joseph is a good example. Torn from his family, ill-treated and imprisoned, he later emerges as ruler in Egypt. And why? “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (50:20). Joseph’s family and the entire nation of Egypt soon owed their survival to Joseph’s leadership.

How many lives do you touch every day? The number might surprise you. Your spouse, your parents, the kids, the boss, the teacher. Don’t forget your neighbors, your coworkers, the server, the cashier. Select one name and one way God could use you to touch that life with a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful act. Then allow God to use you today for good.

INSIGHT Egyptian Mortuary Service

Embalming usually took 40 days and was available in three different price ranges. When completed, the coffin was left standing upright against the wall of the burial chamber.