Today, MacArthur writes about Joseph and how his life ended. Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he was an heir to the covenant promises of God. His faith was strong and he knew his people would make it to the Promised Land. I’m beginning to have the same assurance as God makes many promises to the people of faith that include their children and their children’s children.
Joseph spent all his adult life in Egypt and never saw the Promised Land for himself, but his faith never wavered. At the end of his life, he “made the sons of Israel swear, saying, ’God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.’” (Genesis 50:25)
That request was fulfilled: Moses took the bones of Joseph with him according to that oath. The NT verifies this: “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” (Hebrews 11:22)
Joseph’s faith was more than just the future of his offspring. His whole life is noted for exceptional trust in God’s sovereignty even as he suffered evil from his brothers who sold him into slavery. He recognized God’s hand in every event and submitted to His will. Near the end of his story, Joseph said to his brothers:
And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life . . . And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 45:5–8)
But Joseph reassured them again with, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:19–20)
Joseph knew that God uses all things for good in the lives of those who trust Him. He could accept whatever happened because of that faith, even thinking that after he was dead, God would keep His promises concerning his children and future generations. He may not have realized that every person of faith since him can rely on the promises God made to him, but his trust is the example of faith that every Christian looks toward.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28–30)
PRAY: Jesus, what a wonder that the faith of one man thousands of years ago would influence millions of people. I don’t know what effect my faith will have. It isn’t marked by the same strong trust as You put in Abraham, yet You keep assuring me that You are faithful to do what You promised to do. May my faith have a lasting effect on those who come after me. It seems so unlikely, yet You can do exceedingly above all I can ask or imagine.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21)
PONDER: God’s promises and rejoice in His faithfulness.
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