Genesis Part 079
Joseph goes to bury Jacob, a journey that was 300 miles! Notice in verse 7 that Pharaoh had sent servants and elders of both his house and land with Joseph and his family. This was done out of respect to Joseph and his family.
In Genesis 50, Joseph gives specific orders to the physicians to embalm his father. The word for physician is the same Hebrew word used for heal/healing/healed/healer. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary states the following about the process of embalming: “The process of embalmment consisted in infusing a great quantity of resinous substances into the cavities of the body, after the intestines had been removed, and then a regulated degree of heat was applied to dry up the humors, as well as decompose the tarry materials which had been previously introduced. Thirty days were allotted for the completion of this process; forty more in anointing it with spices. The body was tanned from this operation and then washed and finally wrapped in numerous folds of linen cloth. The joining of which were fastened with gum, and then it was deposited in a wooden chest made in the form of a human figure.” We understand that the entire process took at least 70 days.
The UCG Bible Commentary adds the following: “Mourning the death of Jacob with Joseph as they would for Egyptian royalty illustrates the great respect the Egyptians had for Joseph, the man whom God had used to save them from famine and by whom their nation was greatly enriched.”
In verse 4, we see that Joseph chose to ask for help from those of Pharaoh’s court to send a message to Pharaoh. We may wonder why Joseph did not just ask the Pharaoh himself. Adam Clarke’s commentary states: “Because he was now in his mourning habits, and in such none must appear in the presence of the eastern monarchs. See Esther 4:2.”
Joseph goes to bury Jacob, a journey that was 300 miles! Notice in verse 7 that Pharaoh had sent servants and elders of both his house and land with Joseph and his family. This was done out of respect to Joseph and his family, and to make the funeral procession grand and honorable. This must have been quite a procession!
Verse 8 states that,
“Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen.”
John Gill adds about this verse: “This was done both for the sake of honor and grandeur, and for safety and defense, should they be attacked by robbers in the deserts or opposed by the Canaanites and be refused the use of the cave of Machpelah, or the right to it disputed.” Additionally, he adds “both for quantity and quality; the attendants at this funeral were very numerous, and many of them great personages, and upon the whole was a very honorable company, as the word signifies, and made a very great figure and grand appearance.”
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships, and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
