Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Genesis 50:25-26

By

Genesis 50:25-26    "And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.  (26)  So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt."

Exodus 13:18-19    "But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.  (19)  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you."

Do you have any momentos of special occasions in your life? Do you ever buy souvenirs when you are on vacation? What is the purpose of carrying something around that has no life in it? For me, those things stir sweet memories to come into your heart and mind? Why would Joseph want his bones to be carried out of Egypt into the promised land? He died and no longer inhabited them. What would they represent to Moses and the children of Israel? May I suggest those bones were more than just a sentimental reminder to the people? The people of Israel had been in Egypt for over 400 years. There is no doubt that the life of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and also Joseph had been passed down from generation to generation. Abraham's life reminded them of God's PROMISE of the new land that flowed with milk and honey. Isaac's life reminded them of God's PROVISION for each day. Jacob's life reminded them of God's ABILITY TO CHANGE circumstances and situations. And Joseph's life reminded them that God was able to PROTECT them even in tough times.  Joseph's bones would be a reminder for the children of Israel to keep their eyes and hearts on the joy that was set before them to which God was taking them.

Some may disagree with what I am about to say, but for me, the cross is one such reminder for me. There is no life in the cross, nor is Jesus still on that cross. But it reminds me of the great love my Saviour has for me that He endured the suffering and shame in order for me to enjoy eternal and everlasting life with Him today and for all eternity. The cross reminds me that "with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) The cross reminds me that every dark place and time in my life is only temporary. The cross reminds me that the grave is temporary and not my final resting place. The cross reminds me that there is a joy and lively hope set before me through Jesus Christ that is reserved in heaven for me. The cross reminds me "... that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)  I'm thankful they remembered to take Joseph's bones with them as a reminder that Egypt was not their final place of abode. I am thankful that when I see the cross, I am reminded that "... God so loved the world (me), that he gave his only begotten Son..."

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

By
One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Psalm 100:4-5 - Thanksgiving

By
Psalm 100:4-5     "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Many songs have been written about these verses and with these words included. What do they mean? Today, we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. I've listened to many people speak about their family traditions and most of them include family, food, and football. These are wonderful and fun things that enrich the day, but is it the true meaning that was intended when the day was established?  The Psalmist instructed us to include a special action with our words of thankfulness.  We are to "enter into HIS gates." The heartfelt words of thanksgiving allow us to enter the gates of the Lord, but there is a much deeper place into which we can go. Not only are we to enter into HIS gates, but He invites us to come much closer to H...
Read more