INTRODUCTION: The story is ending. The last of the founding patriarchs are dying. This is a story of burials and not of births. Yet, hope remains. It remains in the hearts. It remains in the last request of Joseph to carry his bones back to the land of Canaan.
I. THE DEATH OF JACOB (49:28-33)
A. Jacob Blesses the Twelve Tribes (v.28) -the content of Jacob’s blessing is found in verses 1-27 of this chapter
B. Jacob’s Burial to be in Canaan (v.29-32)
1. In the cave of Machpelah (v.29-30)
2. Purchased by Abraham as a burying place (v.31-32; chap.23)
C. Jacob Yields up the Ghost (v.33)
1. He gathers his feet into the bed
2. He yields up the ghost (see 35:18; Mt.27:50)
3. He was gathered to his people
a. Not identical to his burial since they did not even begin to trip to Canaan for 70 days (50:3)
b. Neither was it burial in the family plot alongside a person’s relatives. Consider Moses who was gathered unto his people (Deut.32:50) though no one knew where he was buried (Deut.34:5-6).
c. Done for the purpose of future gathering unto Shiloh, the Messiah (Gen.49:10).
d. Refers to the Old Testament saints being gathered together in Abraham’s bosom (Lk.16:22) to be taken up by Christ at His resurrection and ascension (Ps.68:18; Eph.4:8).
II. THE BURIAL OF JACOB (50:1-13)
A. Jacob’s Body is Prepared for Burial (v.1-3)
1. Joseph weeps for him (v.1)
2. Jacob’s body is embalmed (v.2-3a)
a. Done by the Egyptian physicians
b. Takes a period of forty days
3. The Egyptians mourn for seventy days (v.3b)
B. Plans are Made to Transport the Body (v.4-6)
1. Joseph makes a request of Pharaoh (v.4-5)
2. Pharaoh grants his request (v.6)
C. The Burial Party Travels to Canaan (v.7-11)
1. The burial party leaves the land of Egypt (v.7-9)
2. They mourn for seven days at the floor of Atad (v.10-11)
D. Jacob is Buried in the Cave of Machpelah (v.12-13)
III. THE FEAR OF JOSEPH’S BROTHERS (50:14-21)
A. Joseph and his Brethren Return to Egypt (v.14)
B. Joseph’s Brothers Approach him in Fear (v.15-18)
1. They fear revenge from Joseph (v.15)
2. They speak in their father’s name (v.16)
3. They repent of their sin toward Joseph (v.17)
4. They offer themselves as servants to Joseph (v.18)
C. Joseph Assures them of their Safety (v.19-21)
1. Joseph will not judge them as God (v.19)
2. He sees God’s purpose in all that took place (v.20)
3. He desires only to nourish and comfort them (v.21)
4. NOTE: In this, Joseph was again like Jesus in His first coming
IV. THE DEATH OF JOSEPH (50:22-26)
A. Joseph Lives a Blessed Life (v.22-23)
1. To the age of 110 (v.22)
2. Seeing grand children and great grandchildren (v.23)
B. Joseph Secures a Promise from his Family (v.24-25) -he wants his bones taken to the promised land when the children of Israel return (Heb.11:22)
C. Joseph Dies in the Land of Egypt (v.26)
CONCLUSION: The book of Genesis ends “in a coffin in Egypt” (50:26), but those very bones are held in hope of a return to the promised land. They are still seeking that better country and the city whose builder and maker is God (Heb.11:10, 13-15).
MEMORY VERSES:
!. Genesis 50:19
2. Genesis 50:20
3. Genesis 49:10
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