Thoughtful Preparation (Gen. 50:2-6)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 02-19-2008

 

My Worship Time                                                                              Focus:  Preparation

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Genesis 50:2-6

 

            Message of the verses:  “2 Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.  3 Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.  4 When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying, 5 ‘My father made me swear, saying, "Behold, I am about to die; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me." Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’"  6 Pharaoh said, "Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.’”

 

            The process of burying Jacob took a very long time, something that the Jews latter on would not do, for as seen in Acts chapter five it was done on the same day of a person’s death.

 

            Jacob had made plans for his own burial, as he did not want to be buried in the land of Egypt probably because it was a country that worshiped idols and also he probably wanted to be buried next to his wife Leah.

 

            It is interesting that the physicians did the embalming of Israel and not the official embalmers, for again they probably used pagan things when embalming someone.

 

            Joseph did not go up to Pharaoh and make his request, but sent one of Pharaoh’s households, and this was probably done because Joseph had been around his father who was dead, and he did not tell Pharaoh that Jacob did not want to be buried in Egypt, but just that he wanted to be buried in where his wife and other realities were buried.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Jacob had planned well considering his wishes for his burial and told these plans to Joseph first and put him in charge, and then told the rest of his family so that there was no problems that his wishes would be carried out.  This is good practical advice for anyone.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I still need to have a heart to heart talk with my Lord.  I trust the Lord to continue to led me and guide me concerning the possibility of getting this job, and also to continue to teach me contentment through the trials and testings He is giving me to go through.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Philippians 1:9-11

 

9. For this I pray, that your love may still abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
10. so that you may prove the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
11. having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.