| “By faith Joseph when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.” – Hebrews 11:22 |
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| Joseph had a Futuristic Faith Joseph is the last of the 4 major characters of the book of Genesis. We start with ABRAHAM. He is regarded as the FATHER OF FAITH. Then we have ISSAC and then JACOB. Starting in Genesis 30 we have the adventures of JOSEPH, adventures filled with adversities. He would go from being his father’s favorite to being cruelly sold into slavery BY HIS BROTHERS. While finding favor as a slave he is promoted to the overseer of Potiphar’s house in Egypt, yet he is cruelly falsely accused by a very wicked woman, known only as Potiphar’s wife of sexual assault. He was persecuted for his conviction to live PURE! This decision of Joseph’s and the lie of Potiphar’s wife land him in PRISON. While he finds favor in prison he is also FORGOTTEN. God, though, had not forgotten him and at just the right moment Joseph was raised up to be the PRIME MINISTER of Egypt. Having the ability to interpret dreams he is able to prepare Egypt for the coming famine. This famine will then allow him to be reacquainted with his father, Jacob, and with his brothers. What a story to read! With that quick summation of the life and times of Joseph, we pause to ponder our verse for November 22 from Hebrews 11:22. Unlike the faith of Abraham or Issac or Jacob, Joseph’s faith was futuristic. The faith he has is not for himself but for the children of Israel in later years. He knew that one day THEY would return to the promised land and he wanted his bones to be buried in the promised land. By faith, HE KNEW!! He knew they would be returning one day! Please allow me to highlight one very important piece of information. Many times it seems we believe Joseph’s last word in Genesis was his perspective on his life. You might recall in Genesis 50:20 he had said to his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. As great as that is it is not his last words. Hebrews 11:22 says when he was dying, he made mention of the departure, which is the end of Genesis 50. In making mention of the departure, he was letting them know of his confidence, his faith, in God’s PROMISES. And it was not just the promise to get them back to the promised land but that God would take care of THEM. Notice Genesis 50:24 as 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.” Oh, friends, GOD WILL SURELY TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! Until you get to your heavenly home hear this dying man’s last words. GOD WILL SURELY TAKE OF YOU! What a futuristic faith Joseph had. The verse to DATE the Word on November 22 (11/22) is Hebrews 11:22. It says, “By faith, Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.” GOD WILL SURELY TAKE OF YOU! Continue Strong knowing of God’s great care for you! And remember to DATE THE WORD |