God is at work

Genesis 50

This chapter teaches us many things to learn about the unseen hand of God working actively in our lives to bring His purposes to pass as promised. It may have seemed as if Israel came to Egypt to settle forever but that was not the purpose of God. Just like the believer transits this world, they were also transiting Egypt. There was a place they could call their home promised and prepared by God. Hence, even the dead wanted to be buried there. Let’s fix our gaze on where God has given us.

What can we learn?

#1. Honour your father. (Genesis 50:1-14)

The Bible says in Exodus 20 that we must honour our parents so that our days shall be long on earth. It’s the only commandment with a blessing attached. Joseph and his brothers honoured their father by paying heed to his request to be buried in the land of Canaan and also gave him a befitting burial. After everything our fathers do for us, we must honour them whilst they are alive and pass on. The children never spoke ill of their father. They respected their father Jacob for the life he lived.

#2. It is God who works forgiveness in our hearts. (Genesis 50:15-21)

After the burial of their father, Joseph’s brothers, knowing what they did in the past, came to him to plead not to do them harm. Joseph replied that what they did was evil but God used it for good to save many people. Forgiveness does not come by human will being exerted. It is by divine surgery in a heart that is submitted to God. We must forgive one another because God first forgave us. When Jesus rose from the dead, He forgave all His disciples who deserted Him including Peter who denied Him.

#3. Honour faithful people. (Genesis 50:22-26)

The last lesson we can take away is that Joseph, before he died, prophesied of things to come. He told his brothers that God will visit them in due time and they must not forget to take his bones to the promised land. Egypt was not their permanent place. It was temporary to hold them to grow into a nation. Joseph was too faithful not to be honoured. He had done a lot for his family.

Everything happening was in God’s control and not that of man. He scheduled events in favour of His plans and people. Joseph had a glimpse of this and declared to his brothers before he died. Egypt or the world is not our permanent place. For the believer in Christ, our home is heaven where we will dwell with God forever.

Take Action: Can you discern God’s plan in what you are going through?