Joseph
was the eleventh of Jacob’s twelve sons, and he was Jacob’s favorite. He was rather spoiled as a child and didn’t
know when to shut up. His father gave
him an expensive multi-colored coat, and his brothers envied him. So they sold him to slavery. He went to Egypt and worked so well for his
master that his master set him in charge of the entire household, until his
wife framed Joseph and he was sent to prison, where he was again entrusted with
administration. Eventually, he
interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and became second in Egypt. When his brothers came to him later, he
forgave them and eventually treated them with kindness. When he died, he spoke by faith of the Exodus,
commanding the Israelites to take his bones out of the land with them.
Joseph
was well-established in Egypt. His wife
was from there, his children had grown up there, now his father’s whole clan
was living with him in the land. He
could have set his heart on Egypt and its glory and riches, which were all
effectively his. But in his death he
chose to look forward to the Israelite’s inheritance of God’s promise.
He demonstrated courage really throughout his
life, in every administrative position he held, he never once (that we have
recorded) compromised and used his authority for his own gain, but he always
worked diligently and feared God. Even
when his master’s wife tempted him, he refused, saying, “How can I do this
great evil, and sin against God?” He
knew that God was on the throne and therefore considered it unthinkable to sin
against Him.
On his
deathbed, he called his brethren to him, and left instructions as to his
bones. He did not dwell on his own
success in Egypt on his deathbed, but rather on God’s promise to His (and his)
people. In this he chose humility, even
after a life of stellar success both before God and man. He was rich and righteous, an exceedingly
rare combination. But he did not
boast. He trusted God and looked forward
to the inheritance of God’s promises.
After
Joseph died, he was put in a coffin in Egypt, but we can be sure that the
people of Egypt and Israel alike mourned his death. But even he did not speak of mourning, but of
the promises. May we likewise consider
God’s promises of greater importance than our accomplishments.
