A man's life may appear easy in this world. His own ignorance may prevent him from fearing God. He may put God out of his mind. Or he may perform enough in religion that he soothes his own conscience. But what will be the case when God brings you to the hour of death? Only genuine faith glorifies God, trusts God, and is settled even in the appointed hour of death.

As Joseph was about to depart from this world into the presence of the Lord God of glory, he mentioned nothing of riches or of his own achievements, but he declared the gospel to those he loved.

The promise mentioned here was originally made to Abraham by the Lord (Genesis 15: 13-14.) The children of Israel would end up in bondage in Egypt. At the time Joseph died, Joseph's brothers had great gain in Egypt. It would have been difficult for them to understand how their people would ever become slaves. But they would. Just as the Lord's people were brought into bondage in the garden that Christ might be exalted as our only Justifier and Sanctifier so God brought Israel into bondage that he might manifest that he alone has the power to save sinners from the bondage of sin (Exo 10:1-2; Rom 5: 19.)

So as Joseph died, his brethren heard what their younger brother had to say (Gen 50: 24-25.) Joseph believed God concerning the promised deliverance. His hope was based on God's promise which the Lord swore by himself. There is none greater than the Lord God. Therefore when he gave his promise to Abraham, to Isaac, and to our father Jacob, he not only gave the promise, but he swore on his own holy name that he would bring it to pass--his holiness is at stake if he fails to make good on his promise and his oath. It is impossible for God to lie, impossible for God to be anything but holy. Believer's are consoled greatly by the method by which our Lord made his gracious promise. (Heb 6: 13, 14; 16-18.)

But what did Joseph mean with this commandment concerning his bones? Faith declares its allegiance, not to this Egypt, but to Christ the Lord. The Lord had given Joseph great riches in Egypt. Under the sovereign hand of God, Joseph had been promoted to a position of great influence--governor over Egypt. Joseph stands before us as an exception, not the rule, but an exception he was (I Corinthians 1:26-29; Psa 62:10; Pro 30: 8,9.) By this request, symbolically, Joseph made it known publicly that he was not an Egyptian, never had been; never would be even when he was elevated to a lofty position in Egypt. He was a child of God. When he died Joseph possessed but one thing which was of more value to him than any thing else he possessed in this world, faith in the Lord.

Also, by this vow, Joseph showed his brothers, that he fully trusted the Lord would resurrect him into glory (Genesis 17:8.) Typically, this promise was fulfilled toward Joseph 200 years later when Moses made good on this promise during Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage and carried up Josephs bones into Canaan (Exo 13:19.) But the Lord made good on this promise when Joseph died and shall do so for his glorified body when he returns (I Cor 15: 45-58.)

In death, Joseph's heart was set were it had been during all his life, on the promised salvation of the Lord God who can not lie and on the good of his brethren. He confessed he was a stranger in this land of Egypt who fully expected deliverance into glory with his Redeemer.

Our Lord shall deliver those he has purchased with his own blood into his eternal presence in glory. Salvation is sure in Christ Jesus the Lord. Believers belong to him and he will have his purchased possession (Eph 1: 4; I Cor 6: 19, 20.) Do you believe him? Oh, that our minds and hearts were set on nothing else in this world but our Covenant Lord God that we might live by faith the way Joseph died!

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SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Of Princeton, New Jersey

LOCATION & TELEPHONE
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553
Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Worship
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service
(The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)