1-17-15. Exodus 13:19. Joseph Influenced People Who Lived Generations Later With His Faith-my devotional
Joseph Influenced People Who Lived Generations Later With His Faith
Exodus 13:19 Kevin E. Jesmer 1-17-15
“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”
Moses took Joseph’s bones, being faithful to fulfill Joseph’s wish 400 years previous. Look at verse 19, “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” This is taken from Genesis 50:24-25, “Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” When the ancient Israelites left for Egypt, Moses was careful to take bones of Joseph with him. Joshua later on attended to the burial of the bones.
We can see what was on Joseph’s heart and mind at the end of his life. Joseph was certain about what God had promised his people. He knew the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 15:12-16 which reads, “As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” Joseph emphasized his belief that God would do what he has promised.
Joseph knew that God is true. He keeps his promises, all of them. If God says it, it will happen. This is our God. He promised to send Jesus into this world to be the Savior of the world. He promised that Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles would be fulfilled. (Lk 21:24) This turn of events occurred in 1967. God promised that Jesus will come again. He promised eternal life in the Kingdom of God for all who believe. This is happening millions of times over. One day we will see our Savior face to face. All of God’s promises will come true in his time and in his way.
Even though Joseph had the glory of Egypt given to him by God, still, his heart was never in Egypt, but in the land of Canaan. That was the land of promise given to Abraham by God. It was the land that a unique and mighty nation would rise up. It would be comprised by a people who belonged exclusively to Jehovah, God Almighty, the God of the Jews. Our God.
I realize that I need keep my eyes on the prize, that is, Christ and his kingdom. Even though I am a citizen of the most prosperous country in the whole world, and I enjoy a life of comfort, ease and convenience that is unparalleled by most people on this planet, I must never love the world so much that I take my eyes off of my Lord Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 reads, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” In keeping with this theme, Paul says in Philippians 3:13-15, “13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” We need to strain towards the goal and win the prize that is walking in the right relationship with our God provided for us through the Gospel and spending eternity with Jesus and the family of God. This is the ultimate goal and prize. We need the grace of God to continue walking in the narrow way that leads to eternal life. I pray that the Lord may help me to keep focused on the prize and not get side tracked by all the perks and false hopes given to us by the world.
Joseph knew the importance of his influence to his people. He was thinking of even how his bones could deliver the message of salvation to a people generations off. We need to think about our influence and legacy and how this will promote the glory of Christ and advance his kingdom. How can our lives encourage future generations? How can our bones encourage a future people group? Pray about it. There is a way to be blessing to those who are not even born.
I can also see Moses’ faith in honoring Joseph’s wishes. How easy would it be for him to simply ignore Joseph’s request. It was hard enough navigating the desert wilderness with one’s own belongings, let alone carting around a sarcophagus of old bones. But Moses knew how important holding onto the promises of God were. He knew how important these bones were to the people. His people were keeping those bones safe for generations. It was part of their national and cultural identity He was a good steward of the bones and he cared about the psyche of his people and promoting God, who is faithful.
So many people want to throw out the old and bring in the new. But from Moses’ example we need to remember lives of faith of servants of God who have gone on before us. I too need to be a good steward of the spiritual heritage passed down to us by our fore bearers.
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