The End

View daily reading plan: Genesis 50.22-26

The remainder of Joseph’s life is passed over with little comment. Reference is made to his continued residence in Egypt with the extended family (Gen 50.22). There are allusions to his immediate family and his interaction with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 
Death beckoned, and so Joseph assembled his brethren. He believed God’s promise to Abraham regarding the exodus (Gen15.14) and thus he prophesied, “God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land” (Gen 50.24). Not only did Joseph believe that message, but also the promise of their inheritance, “the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob”.
 
And so, Joseph died and his embalmed body “was put in a coffin in Egypt” (Gen 50.26). His brothers had made a commitment that his bones would be removed from Egypt at the exodus. Moses was thorough in fulfilling the commitment of that previous generation; so “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him” (Ex 13.19). They were interred in Shechem (Josh 24.32); for forty years, care had been taken in transporting that coffin.
 
Genesis ends with Joseph “in a coffin in Egypt”. By contrast, the last chapter of the first book of the New Testament ends with a risen Man in the power of resurrection life, announcing, “I am with you alway” (Mt 28.20).

Tuesday, 27 February, 2024