JACOB’S FAITHFUL DEATH – Genesis 49:28-50:14 – 1-28-24

Much of Jacob’s life bore testimony to the grace of God in spite of his own frailties and failures.  By his own accounting before Pharaoh he declared (47:9) “…Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.” Jacob was greatly overshadowed by his son Joseph in faithful exploits and consistency of character.  [application prayer: “May our children far surpass us in godliness and dominion as Joseph followed Jacob…”].  Nevertheless, a most remarkable exception to this biography was evident on Jacob’s death bed.  Here, where the test of faith is the greatest and Jacob is physically the weakest, his faith shines the brightest!  Jacob’s choice of burial location acknowledged God’s future intentions for the covenant family, the promised land, and his own resurrection! (Hebrews 11:21) “By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” Jacob’s dedication to the covenant was never stronger than his dying day as evidenced by his burial plans.