(Genesis) Genesis 50:21-26
The conclusion of the book of Genesis highlights the hope of the Israelites for their eternal possession of the land and their ultimate reunion with the Lord.
In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of Joseph's burial in Egypt. He explains that although Joseph had an earthly hope of being raised from the dead, the location of his burial did not matter in terms of meeting the Lord. However, for the people of that time, being buried in the land of Canaan held great importance as it symbolized their eternal possession. The speaker suggests that Joseph's body was not taken up and buried in the land of Canaan because he was highly regarded by the Egyptians and they likely would not have allowed his body to be removed. Despite this, Joseph instructed his people to carry his bones to the promised land when they eventually left Egypt. The sermon concludes with the mention of Joseph's death and his burial in a coffin in Egypt, marking the end of the book of Genesis.
Full Transcript
Listen to him, Now therefore, he says, fear ye not, I'll nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spake kindly unto them. And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father's house.
And Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation. I take it that he was a great-great-grandfather.
The children also of Macher, the son of Manasseh, were brought up upon Joseph's knees. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die. And God will surely visit you and bring you out of the land, unto the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died being a hundred and ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. And that's the way the book of Genesis ends.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. That's the beginning. But now, a coffin in Egypt.
What happened? Well, sin entered the human family. But now notice this specifically. The question arises, why wasn't Joseph taken up at this time? Buried in the land.
Well, I think, obviously, Joseph happens to be a hero in the land of Egypt. I do not think that they would have permitted his body to have been removed from that land at the time. I think he was one of the outstanding patriots that the Egyptians worshipped, probably.
At least they certainly treated with respect his grave, and probably a monument was reared to him. But now he said to his own people, when you go up, don't leave my bones down here. Now again, friends, may I say that he had a hope.
It was an earthly hope. That someday he was to be raised from the dead. Now, if he's to be raised from the dead and be caught up to meet the Lord in there, what difference does it make whether the launching pads in Egypt or Canaan or Florida or wherever you live? It wouldn't make a bit of difference.
We are to be caught up to meet the Lord in there someday. Doesn't make any difference where we are buried, but for these people it meant a great deal to be buried in that land. For that land is their hope.
It's to be their eternal possession. And this brings us now to the conclusion of the book of Genesis.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Conclusion of Genesis
- II. Joseph's Life and Death
- III. The Significance of Joseph's Burial
- IV. The Hope of the Israelites
- V. The Eternal Possession of the Land
- VI. Conclusion of the Book of Genesis
Key Quotes
“Well, I think, obviously, Joseph happens to be a hero in the land of Egypt. I do not think that they would have permitted his body to have been removed from that land at the time.” — J. Vernon McGee
“It doesn't make any difference where we are buried, but for these people it meant a great deal to be buried in that land.” — J. Vernon McGee
“For that land is their hope. It's to be their eternal possession.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- The hope of being raised from the dead and meeting the Lord is a hope that is relevant to all believers, regardless of where we are buried.
- Being buried in a particular location may hold significance for some people, but ultimately, it doesn't matter where we are buried, as we will be caught up to meet the Lord someday.
- The eternal possession of the land is a hope that is central to the Israelites' faith and is a reminder of God's promise to them.