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June 25 Daily Devotional

A Pilgrim in the Earth

Frans Bakker

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. —Hebrews 11:22

Bible Reading

Psalm 105:16–22

Devotional

As Joseph lay dying he spoke about the departure of the people of Israel. But why would there be such a departure? Why would they have to leave Egypt? Didn’t they have a good life in Egypt? The people of Israel lived in Goshen. There they suffered no afflictions or hardships. They had been delivered from famine and now had food in abundance. Still we read in our text that Joseph spoke about the children of Israel leaving Egypt.

Actually Joseph was saying to them, “You are a stranger here in the land.” Joseph had also been a stranger. And he remained a stranger all eighty years that he lived in his palace, sat upon his throne, and enjoyed much prosperity. Joseph knew that he was a pilgrim in this world. He therefore commanded the children of Israel to carry his bones with them into Canaan, the land of promise, when they left Egypt. Canaan was the land of rest.

Joseph could have done otherwise. He could have commanded that his body be embalmed and laid in one of the mighty tombs of Egypt. You know the Egyptians built these mighty tombs as a lasting memorial to themselves. Joseph could have had such a lasting tomb. His tomb even could have had a beautiful inscription upon it: “Here lies Zaphnath-Paaneah, the savior of the world.” People could have read this for ages to come. But Joseph refused this for he wanted to have his bones buried in the land of promise. Joseph confessed the same faith his father had. That was also the faith of his grandfather and his great-grandfather, for we read of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that they lived in tents because they confessed they were strangers. They were on their way to a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

So, as Joseph was dying, he let his relatives swear that when they left Egypt, they would take his bones along with them to Canaan. The reason for this was not that he wanted to be laid in a family grave. It was not just that he wanted to be buried in the land of his birth. But Joseph confessed that he wanted to be buried where God is present. He wanted to belong to those who are saved and who are with God.

When he died, Joseph’s spirit went to heaven. His dead body lies in Canaan and will one day rise from the grave. And then Joseph will glorify God forever with body and soul. Joseph lived by faith. He was a stranger in the earth. God’s people are strangers here, but they are at home with the Lord. Does that also characterize your life?

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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