Genesis 49:28-50:14
Reading about Jacob's death struck a chord with me today. Both of my parents have already passed away so I've experienced and gone through what Joseph is dealing with here in Genesis 49:28-50:14. There were a number of things that I noticed. First, was how Joseph honored Jacob both in life and in death. And, I loved how Joseph wasn't embarrassed to openly show his emotions and his deep love for his father. Finally, this passage was also a nice reminder for me of the importance of taking care of family.
So what does this passage show us about the whole process of aging and death, particularly as it pertains to family? How can you use or draw on these verses when it comes to dealing and coping with the death of a loved one? Tami W.
The respect the Egyptians had for Joseph as well as for his father is amazing. Joseph's wisdom and leadership in their country must have been so obvious to them, and they recognized how he had saved their lives. In addition to preserving the children of Israel, is this not another case of God keeping His promise to Abraham about blessing the nations through him?
I was struck by the phrase about how Jacob "...breathed his last and was gathered to his people." To me, this confirms again that believers who die are then present with those who have gone before as well as with Christ. Jacob also wanted his physical body to be "gathered to his people" in the same cave they were buried in, which was later accomplished.
Probably the biggest blessing of my life (other than salvation) was being with my mom when she passed away. We had a pretty rough relationship for MANY many years. The last 10 yrs of her life we bacame very close as she adapted from independance to assisted living facilities. We both gained new respect for each other as her needs grew. I prayed during these years that God would allow me to be with her when He took her home. This prayer was answered in bigger ways than I could imagine .. I was not only with her, but laying in her bed beside her, holding her in my arms and singing to her.
Learning first, to honour God made me able to honour my mom ... and the benefits of that have been beyond words.