January 12, 2025

Facing Death with Faith

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Genesis 48, Hebrews 11:21
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Did you think little about death when young?
    • I though little about death when I was young
    • I have been thinking more of death in recent years
      • Example of funerals
    • Quote from John Wesley
    • We do not know the time or the hour
      • The Lord knows
      • We should learn to number them
    • Jacob lived for 147 years – Joseph’s father
      • He had known many difficult days
      • He had a difficult family and knew great pain in his life
      • He blessed Pharaoh
      • As it comes to his death, he is still blessing others
  • Three events
    • He meets with Joseph and makes his burial arrangements
    • Joseph goes to him and takes his two sons for a blessing
    • He speaks prophetic words (Gen 49)
  • Overview
    • The burial
    • The blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh
    • Prophetic words [next week]

The Burial

  • Reading Gen 47:29-31
    • A deliberate choice not to be buried in Egypt but in the land of Canaan / the promised Land
    • A deliberate choice to make Joseph swear a solemn promise
  • Location:
    • His two wives were buried in Canaan
    • He was to be buried with Abraham and Isaac
      • Abraham was chosen to be the covenant family of God – a statement of faith
      • To be identified with Abraham and Isaac – a statement of faith to the promised land
      • Heb 11:9-10
        • They knew their real home was in the glory
        • What matters most to you? The best things?
      • They died in faith – Heb 11:13
        • They believed in life after death and the resurrection of the dead
        • Do you believe in the promises of God?
      • Bury me in Canaan

The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh

  • Chapter 48 – crossing of his hands to bless the younger and not the older
  • v1 – Jacob is sick and Joseph took to him his two sons
    • He believed this sickness would lead to his father’s death
    • Joseph knew that his two sons borne to an Egyptian wife needed blessing by Jacob to be brought into the covenant family of God
  • v2 – Jacob is strengthened by the coming of his son
    • Jacob recounts Gods goodness to him (v3 onwards)
    • He mentions Luz/Bethel (v3)
      • He will never forget the place where he first met God
        • The vision of Jacob’s ladder
      • He returned here after tragedy with Dinah and Simeon/Levi
      • Gen 35:6, 10-12
    • What will be our final words to those we love?
      • Jacob was full of faith facing death
  • He wants to bless his offspring
    • He wants them to be like his first and second born
      • He still acknowledges Reuben and Simeon – 1 Chr 5:1
    • He is adopting Ephraim and Manasseh into his family
  • Jacob crosses his hands to bless Ephraim more than Manasseh
    • Joseph is not happy with this – v14-16, 19-19
    • Both will be blessed but Ephraim will be greater
    • Joseph should have remembered his history
      • Though in this instance God’s favour is upon both Ephraim and Manasseh
    • Joseph is blessed and included in the promises of blessing (Gen 49)
  • Conclusion:
    • As a young man he took advantage of others – a schemer
      • God was gracious to Him and blessed him
    • He knew much suffering – examples
      • Yet God was with Him – fed him and redeemed him
    • Heb 11:21 – He blessed Joseph’s sons, worshipping and full of faith
    • May we know confidence in the Lord and die well
    • May we be those who seek to bless others
    • How do you face death?