The Hall of Faith | Joseph’s Faith Beyond Egypt – Hebrews 11:22
By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Joseph, having rescued his family and buried his father Jacob, had changed the bleak trajectory of the people of God. Joseph’s story had been founded on attempted murder by his brothers that lead to a series of events that would ultimately put him in the presence of Pharaoh of Egypt as one of the highest ranking persons in leadership. Then, after interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh, provided food during a profound famine across the land. In the end, Joseph had his family relocated and placed in the land of Egypt where they grew and prospered under Joseph’s leadership, becoming more numerous throughout the years. At the end of Joseph’s life, he understood that the people were safe, yet they did not belong in this land.
“So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50:22-26, ESV)
Egypt, for all it’s prosperity, was not the promised land that God have set apart for the people of God. While it would be years until they could return, Egypt would be the home for the people of God and the nation of Israel, albeit in their infancy. Joseph’s faith understood that there was a greater prosperity beyond the immediate charm and provision of Egypt. The future home of the people would go beyond material possessions an for the land that God has set apart for them. Furthermore, Joseph had faith in what the people of God would experience in Egypt, but knowing that God would lead them out of it.
More Than Worldly Provision
The story of Joseph, which finishes the book and Genesis and the first part of the Pentateuch, ends on a bit of tension. For all intents and purposes, it seems like the story of Israel had been secure. They would resides in Egypt in peace but in tension of not being in their home. There was safety yet angst that the place they lived was not the place they belonged. For all the benefits they had during that time, Joseph, in faith, tells his family that God would take them from this land and return them to Himself. Even Joseph, functionally acting as royalty in Egypt, did not want his bones to remain in Egypt, but rather to be returned to their home land with his father Jacob. For Joseph and the people of Israel, there was more to life than the mere provision of temporary blessing but the faith that God would bring his people back to Himself in the land set apart for them.
One of the largest temptations Christians face is the trading of our home for the sake of earthly provision. We want our life to be comfortable and safe in this world with our every physical needs met. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. For the people of God, for a season, this was a relief and a source of rescue. Yet, for all its benefits, something greater exists. The land God has set apart for us in eternity is far greater than anything we could imagine or experience, exceeding any worldly provision or safety. Money, though not necessarily evil, cannot compare to the glory that will be an eternity with Jesus Christ. We should not pursue safety and security in financial stability, land, or worldly possessions but in the future reality of a life with Jesus Christ. Faith directs us to pursue the Lord whole heartedly, trusting that God’s provision will far exceed even our own understanding of our needs.
The Coming Exodus
Joseph, in his faith and foresight, understood the danger of what was to come. In faith, he understood that the people of God, remaining faithful to God above all, would continue to prosper. After all, this had been the promise god gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet, as strangers in a land not their own, the people of God would grow and prosper. There would come a time when God would come to rescue them from the foreign land they resided in and return them to Himself. Egypt was only a temporary season for the people of God and they must not ever forget that. Joseph’s statement at the end of his life was a promise and a warning of what was to come. The temptation for the people would be to lose hope and think that God had abandoned them. Hence the bones. Joseph, in faith, knew that God would redeem and rescue His people to bring them out of suffering. The bones embodied the promise that, while they may not think so, they would absolutely one day return to their home.
Like most prophesy brought in faith, there is the immediate and the eschatological application. While the words of Joseph provided the immediate context, we cannot forget that God is at work throughout human history. Though we will experience death differently, and by that I mean we will not experience the fullness of death since Jesus took that punishment for us, we will be returned from the madness and pain that is this world. Joseph foresaw a difficult time for the people and, in faith, made plans for when that season would be over. We, while we may face the difficulties of being strangers in a foreign land, can rest assured in the promise of eternity for those in Jesus Christ. In faith, we know that there is life beyond whatever difficulties we may face and trust that God brings us to Himself. This is the Gospel that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that God would draw us to himself. When the world cannot control those whose prosperity comes from faith in the Lord in a future home, it will seek to invalidate our faith and persecute us, thinking that our hope is in the things of this world. In faith, though, we walk with our heads held high, looking towards Jesus Christ as our hope and our provider.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
