Joseph Finished Strong

            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.