August 1, 2023

I’ve always loved Genesis, so I’m saddened to come to the last chapter. Going through it slowly and methodically has taught me more than I expected. Though I’ve read it many times, this time was the best. I will use my short commentary of each chapter to refer back to when I dig into the rest of the Old Testament; hopefully, I retained more than I lost.

Jacob’s family did as he asked and made the trip to bury him in Canaan. A whole caravan of his people went, leaving only the small children and the flocks and herds in Egypt. I’m guessing the servants stayed, watched the children, and fed the animals. 

Once again, the brothers became fearful of Joseph being their father was now dead. They feared he would deal harshly with them. It broke Joseph’s heart, and he cried as they shared their fear and pleaded for mercy. He had already forgiven them and praised God for his trials because it put him in the position to save many people from starvation. The things we’ve gone through help us through the next portion of our lives, and we must be grateful. We must also remember that Jesus has forgiven us of our sins. If it broke Joseph’s heart to hear them beg for mercy, imagine how Jesus feels when we keep bringing up our past sins that he has already forgiven and forgotten. Move on; get over it! Know that God is not holding your past against you and that you are indeed forgiven.

Before Joseph died, he instructed his family and said that God would visit them and tell them when it was time to leave Egypt to take possession of the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When he died, the Egyptians embalmed Joseph and put him in a coffin, and as he instructed, the family kept his bones until they were freed from Egypt.

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. Genesis 50:20-21