World’s Best Isn’t Good Enough
Genesis 47: 27 So Israel dwelt
in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there
and grew and multiplied exceedingly. 28 And
Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life
was one hundred and forty-seven years. 29 When the
time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to
him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under
my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in
Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers; you
shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”
And he said, “I will do as you have said.”
31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And
he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.
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After living in the land of Egypt for seventeen years,
Israel spoke to Joseph. His one request was to be buried outside of Egypt, back
in the land of his fathers.
My Observations:
- Goshen was the best land
Egypt had to offer and the Israelites prospered more than they ever had.
- Israel and Joseph got to
spend a great amount of time with each other during the seventeen years he
was there.
- Israel saw the ways of
the Egyptians and did not want any parts of it, so he made Joseph promise
to bury him with Abraham and Isaac.
Israel’s request was a strong rejection of the Egyptian
ways. Egyptians regarded Pharaoh as a god. They believed in multiple gods and
worshiped the sun and even frogs. Israel had spoken to the one and true GOD. I
believe he had encountered the preincarnate JESUS.
Israel’s desire to be physically buried near his fathers was
highly symbolic. He made Joseph place his hand under his thing, similar to
Abraham’s oath he made his servant take. This is something Joseph would never
forget! Goshen represents wealth and the best. But the world’s best falls short
of GOD’s glory.
Challenge
- Why did GOD tell Moses
about Israel making Joseph take an oath?
- Are you pursuing the
world’s best, thinking it will save you from your current situation?
- Have you placed a
priority of obtaining the world and watching a little piece of your soul
go away in the pursuit?
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