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Daily Devotion: Genesis 47:27-31

Genesis 47:27-31    "And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head." 

Joseph was finally reunited with his family. He had brought them to the land of Egypt where he was dwelling. Even though Joseph was governor over the land, he was never an Egyptian. He was never referred to as a citizen of that land even though his rule was only superseded by Pharoah himself.

Joseph’s father, Israel, all of Joseph’s brothers, their families and their possessions were brough into the land of Goshen. As we learn from studying the scriptures, even though they eventually dwelled there for about four hundred years, they were never considered to be Egyptians. God had made a difference in them by His power and choosing. He would eventually make that difference very evident to both the house of Israel and the inhabitants of Egypt. 

While they dwelled in Egypt, God blessed them and caused them to prosper and grow. Jacob (Israel) was blessed to live another seventeen years with all of his family around him. However, Jacob also realized that he was coming to the end of his days. He desired one final kindness from Joseph. He did not want to be buried in the land of Egypt.

By an oath, Joseph promised his father, Israel, he would not leave him to lie in a strange land. Rather, he would take him up out of Egypt and lay him to rest with his fathers. Having received this oath, Jacob bowed himself upon the bed’s head. Some commentators interpret this as that he laid down upon his pillow, and others that he bowed to give thanks to God for His grace showed to him both in life and death.

Although Jesus walked this low ground of sin in a body for thirty-three and a half years, He was never a citizen. He carried within Him the very Divinity that had made the world and the fullness of it. According to the purpose of God, all of His family are gathered to Him throughout all ages. He has blessed us with a good land for a season. He has promised us that He will never leave or forsake us, and because there is none greater, He has sworn this oath by Himself (Hebrews 6:13). He will never leave us to be swallowed up by this world that is not our home!

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