Wed.’s Devo - Jacob’s Last Words to Joseph

Read Gen. 47:28-48:7 Jacob lived in Egypt 17 years which is the exact amount of time he had with Joseph before he was taken from him as a boy. He was 147 years old which means the full reward of his reign on earth was complete. (One hundred means “full reward”; forty means “reign tested”; and seven means “complete”). When he was about to die he called in Joseph so he could be with him one more time before he passed. He made Joseph promise to bury him in the burying place where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah and his forefathers were buried (Machpelah). Burying places were very important to people in the Old Testament. He didn’t want to be buried in Egypt. Joseph made a similar request when he died. He made his sons promise they would take his bones with them when they left Egypt. One day Joseph was summoned to his father’s bedside because the time had come to pass. He took Manasseh and Ephraim with him to see their grandfather once more and receive his blessing. Jacob rallied strength to sit up and speak to them. He reminded them of the promise of God to multiply his seed and give them the land. He then adopted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own children. But their children would be Joseph’s. He went on to talk about Rachel’s death. Rachel which means “an ewe” died in Bethlehem giving birth to Benjamin which means “so of my right hand”. (Jesus sits at the right hand of God.) That was the same place where another lamb - the Lamb of God would be born whose death would bring life to the whole earth. Lord, you have planned everything. Truly our times are in your hand.