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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 363

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6

Text: Genesis 50:1-26

FULFILMENT OF JACOB’S WISH

Joseph bore in mind his father’s last wish. After he had taken all the necessary steps to ensure that Jacob’s body would be well-preserved to make the long trip back to Machpelah, Canaan, Joseph waited the day when the mourning period would be over. He then went to the Pharaoh to seek his permission to bury his father in the land of Canaan.

“Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying,
‘If now I have found favour in your eyes, please speak
in the hearing of Pharaoh, saying,
“My father made me swear, saying, ‘Behold, I am dying;
in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan,
there you shall bury me.’
Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father,
and I will come back.” ‘ ”
GENESIS 50:4-5

Though Joseph occupied an important and powerful position in Egypt, nevertheless, he could not approach Pharoah directly. Certain protocol still needed to be observed. He had to have his request presented on his behalf by other officials to the Pharaoh. The request was for his father’s dying words to be fulfilled. He wanted to be buried in the land of Canaan. (The Egyptians had a very high regard for death rituals. Their religion taught them that there was an intricate balance between the living and the dead. This was particularly so with reference to the Pharaoh himself. Having this understanding would make him more favourably disposed to Joseph’s request to bury his father in the land of Canaan).


ROYAL PERMISSION GRANTED

Pharaoh immediately approved of this request. Not only that, he sent an entourage to mourn with Joseph.

“And Pharaoh said, ‘Go and bury your father,
as he made you swear.’ So Joseph went up to bury his father;
and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh,
the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt.”
GENESIS 50:6-7

The people who were sent to mourn with Joseph represented the court of Pharaoh. This was high honour indeed!


THE SONS OF JACOB

Of course, the sons of Jacob must make the long trip back to Machpelah, Canaan.

“As well as all the house of Joseph, his brothers,
and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks,
and their herds they left in the land of Goshen.”
GENESIS 50:8