The Example of Joseph: Hebrews 11:29
“22) By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.” Hebrews 11:22
There were many things in the life of Joseph that were examples of faith. He went from being sold into Egypt as a common slave to being Prime Minister under Pharaoh over the whole land of Egypt. But the writer zero’s in on Genesis 50:24-26. Let’s look at those verses.
“24) Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” 25) Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” 26) So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.”
From age 17-110, Joseph spent his whole life in Egypt against his own will. He was sold into Egypt as a slave and remained there his entire life. Yet he never took his heart off the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob of the land of Palestine. He fixed his hope on the Promised Land. Egypt was not his home, he was just passing through.
By faith he looked over 430 years into the future and wanted his bones to be carried to the promised land. Exodus 13:19 records that his descendants kept their promise.
We can conclude by this that faith has benefits way beyond this life. Faith sees into the future. We are pilgrims here but our citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20-21) Faith embraces eternity.
I believe that faith helps us let go of here and now and helps us live for heaven. Faith enables us to embrace the spiritual realm as a greater reality than the physical realm. (See Colossians 3:1-11) Faith in Christ activates the inner transformation into a new life.
Joseph lived 93 years in Egypt, but his heart was in the promised land the entire time. His life was defined by his “faith walk” with God. By faith he spent his life clinging to Gods promises.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
