Bible Commentaries
Poor Man's Commentary
Genesis 50
CONTENTS
This Chapter which concludes the book of Genesis, concludes with it the account of the last tokens of respect shown to the Patriarch Jacob's remains. He is embalmed by the physicians of Egypt; and after the days of mourning were expired, Joseph obtains permission from Pharaoh to carry up his father's remains for interment into Canaan. The funeral ceremony is here related: their return to Egypt: Joseph and his brethren's affectionate regard for each other is again mentioned: the years which Joseph lived after his father: Joseph's death and age.
Genesis 50:1
Sweet view of Joseph's tenderness. Reader, see John 11:35-36.
It is an humbling view of our poor nature which death makes. The tenderest friend must then say as Abraham did, Genesis 33:4.
John 19:39-40
It is proper to pay tokens of respect to our deceased friends, but do not forget what JESUS hath said: Matthew 8:22.
How falsely sometimes we calculate! Jacob talked of going down to the grave to his children. But a gracious GOD here permits Jacob's funeral to be followed by all his children. See Genesis 42:38.
How sweet to this purpose are those gospel precepts, and how much the influence of them, arising from the same Almighty SPIRIT'S gift, was on the mind of Joseph! Colossians 3:12-13; Matthew 6:12-15; Ephesians 4:31-32.
Genesis 45:5. - Nothing can be more satisfactory in proof of a work of grace in the heart, than when believers pass by second causes to keep in view the LORD'S hand in all appointments.
How graciously, sometimes, the LORD lengthens out the years of the faithful! see Job 42:16.
It was thus the fathers in the faith comforted their descendants with an assurance of GOD'S promises. One saint relates to another GOD'S covenant promises, and their dependence upon them. Thus Abraham to Isaac: and Isaac to Jacob: and Jacob to Joseph: and Joseph to his descendants. Reader! if believers now had faith in equal exercise, such would be our comforts in dying hours. Exodus 4:31; Psalms 27:13-14.
Hebrews 11:22.
REFLECTIONS
Reader! it would be wrong to close our review of the life of the Patriarch Joseph, without once more looking at so illustrious a character, both as he is in himself, and as he is a type of the ever blessed JESUS. As he is in himself, how truly lovely doth he appear in every relation and character of life. As a son, as a brother, as the wise governor in Egypt, raised up by the LORD for the preservation of his own house and family, and the whole kingdom of Egypt. And as a father, as a man, when a servant, and when a Lord! But how lovely is it to see the HOLY GHOST graciously shadowing out the features of JESUS, in the prominent parts of Joseph's life. From the first departure he made from his father's house, through the whole of his eventful life, from the prison to the throne, we see the outlines of the great Redeemer's history sketched out. And from Joseph we are immediately directed to JESUS, and as we bow the knee before him, we cannot help crying out; Hail! thou glorious Almighty Governor of thy kingdom! Thou art indeed the true Zapnath-paaneah. Thou art He whom thy brethren shall praise, and all thy church adore. To thee every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that thou art CHRIST, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.
Before we shut this book of Genesis let us take one thought more. The close of it may lead our minds to the improving thought of the close of our own. It serves to enforce upon the mind that solemn conclusion of the sacred writer; so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Reader! what a vast change hath been wrought in the circumstances of mankind, from the opening of the history of creation through the several periods of it. There we began the wonderful relation of GOD'S goodness to our race, in the formation of man after his own image. And here we behold him become the prey and food of worms! And whence all this but because sin hath entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death hath passed upon all men, because all have sinned. And what shall bring relief to the mind under this discouraging prospect, but the contemplation of his love and faithfulness, who is the unchangeable covenant GOD, the same yesterday and today and forever. Reader! may it be your happiness and mine, to live upon this great and unchangeable GOD, as he is revealed to his people in a three-fold character of persons. And under this assurance that blessing will be our portion: the children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
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