Genesis 49-50, Matthew 13:31-58 • Key Verse: Genesis 50:24-25

Warren Wiersbe comments in his notes on Genesis 50 that “Genesis begins with a garden and ends with a coffin: what a commentary on the results of sin!” The progression is from life to death. Sin brought death. Immediately things changed from the idyllic to sin-cursed.

Yet it is a hope-filled coffin that catches our attention here at the end. It contains the bones of Joseph, who made the sons of Israel swear an oath that when God. came to their aid, they must carry his bones up from Egypt (50:25).

Joseph believed God. Until his dying day he never wavered in his belief. The strength of his belief was so strong that he made plans to be twice buried: temporarily in Egypt but ultimately in the Promised Land.

What a strange sight it must have been—the people of Israel trekking through the wilderness, carrying what was probably an elaborate Egyptian mummy case. That coffin carried the hope-filled bones of Joseph.

We suffer the effects of living in this sin-cursed world. Yet if we know Jesus as Savior, we are assured of an eternal home where there is no sin. Don’t dwell on the world. Instead, read the Word. Fill your bones with hope!

If we walk by sight our faith will waver. But if we walk by faith, our sight will see things differently. Determine, like Joseph, to interpret what you see by your faith.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in