GENESIS 50 THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN At the beginning of this book there was the satisfaction God had as He created all things by the word of His power and set everything in order. At the end of the book of Genesis we see the wages of sin which is death and the tears that accompany death and the body of a loved one in a coffin. I took note of the difference between the power and plans of God from those of men. He has prepared a place for man to dwell where he might enjoy fellowship with God. Now at the end of Genesis the last enemy death, has a place in the ground where the body of even a prince with God must be placed out of sight. How sad are the consequences of sin. The great multitude of those that accompanied the body of Jacob, indicated the respect the nation of Egypt still had for Joseph. But even though the form is there and is still holding the semblance of the one who lived in that body, sin still had its claims and the mourning was for the person who left the body - the consequences of sin.
In the cave of Machpelah there was the bones of those who had gone before - Sarah, Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob. The embalmed body lay with the bones of the others as only a sign of respect for the Egyptians who thought their dead needed a body in the next world. It is true that we owe respect to the passing of those who lived among us. The embalming of bodies has nothing to do with the life of the departed ones.
Sometimes a period of grieving is needed by those who lose loved ones to the consequences of sin. The opening up of our feelings may take some time before we can really move on with our life among the living.
Joseph understood the value of trust. He had built the reputation of one who could be trusted over the years of his leadership in Egypt. It was therefore right for him to promise to return after burying his father in his own homeland. It is right for us to build a similar reputation of trust in the world today even though we don't do the same things the majority of people do. Our word should be our bond. Our work should be as good as we can possibly do. Our ways should be reliable rather than inconsistent. Our worship should be in spirit and in truth - not just something to be seen by those looking on. It takes time to build trust. We have opportunities that come to us to build trust even in the smallest things of life.
I noticed as I watched the sons of Jacob gather, that there was still a degree of deception as they now wondered what Joseph would do since Jacob had died. They used Jacob's supposed words, which could not be verified, to try to be assured of their safety. The openness and honesty which they had once, seemed to be lacking when they came together after Jacob's burial. The grace of Joseph seemed to be in doubt as far as they were concerned. But Joseph had forgiven them. Now he had to reassure them that he meant what he said. He offers to care for them and their children. His forgiveness was not half-hearted. It was complete forgiveness. God is willing to forgive us. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." We accept God's forgiveness by faith and He who forgives empowers us to not go and do the same things again. By faith we appreciate His forgiveness, and by faith we live in fellowship with God. Joseph had learned by the experiences of life that God can bring good out of evil. God can overrule the evil intentions to bring the results He intended.
Joseph had no doubt that God would bring the tribe of Israel back to their promised land. He had trusted God during his lifetime and now he was trusting God in his death-time. He knew God would keep His promises so instructed them to bring his body to be buried with his forbearers. Faith grows and is strengthened by exercise. We become more confident in God as the years pass and as we keep learning from Him. When God promises help in the day of trouble, He gives it. When God says He will never leave or forsake us, we can experience His presence with us. When God says He will honor those who honor Him, He does just that. When we have our confidence in God and His faithfulness to us, there may be those who come after us who will set their hope in God.
I learned on my journey through Genesis that men and women who walked in God's ways, experienced God's blessing. Even though they failed at times in their lives, God was with them. Where did they get the courage and incentive to live by faith? They knew God was with them in spite of their failures. I know that God does what He promised to do. I have no question that "God is, and He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." I will not doubt Him even though there are times when I have questions as to why things happen. There are issues in my life even now that I see no answer to, but by God's grace, I will trust Him and not be afraid.
They stood alone, those people of faith, among the history of men. There are lessons we learn today because of things that happened to them. We may never know until after we die, the effect we have had on the living. God knows, and that is all that really counts, perhaps we'll understand more in heaven.
Jacob died, then all of his sons and many generations that followed after. Even today his seed is blessing the world even though the majority are scattered. Through that family a nation was born that is identifiable to this day. This world has hope because from Judah's tribe came Him who is the Way.
From obscure beginnings there has come to be a group that causes the world to tremble. People get worried when Jews from many nations to Israel begin to assemble. They are gathering because a promise was made of a land to be their own. Israel is the place where the patriarch's seed want to make their home.
So from time to time and from many places they come to Israel in spite of the danger. Even though they lived in other countries, they were always considered a stranger. The years spent in Egypt were certainly many, but they didn't intend to stay. Even now they talk with hope of a time when from God they will no longer stray.
Sin has a way of working, with the purpose of making people strangers to God. Most Israelis today don't spend time searching the New Testament of the Word. They base their hopes of a future upon the promise of God to make Israel a nation; Not realizing that God has a plan to fulfill, that brings meaning to each situation.
From the first of Genesis to the end there is truth for living a life of faith. Almost every situation in life is able in this first book to be traced. The good and the bad is addressed that we who read it might know - What brings blessings from God, and how our faith is able to show.
There are many people who try to discredit this book as only a fable - Not realizing that reading it through, God from these pages is able To give us warnings and guidance and prepare us for what we meet On this road of life we are traveling, and the goals we are called on to seek.
"O Lord God, the journey through Genesis has served once again as a challenge to me to see if I am really walking by faith. The unknown often causes questions and even doubts until we review again the way things began. Thank You, O God, for giving us this book. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."