Online Sermons
Lesson #14 - Jacob's Funeral
Series: The Life of Joseph - A Tapestry of God's ProvidenceLESSON #14
Jacob’s Funeral
1. Joseph has his father embalmed. / Genesis 50
After weeping, Joseph directs his physicians to embalm his father. – vss.1-2
As we know from “the mummies”, the Egyptians were experts at embalming.
~ This (Egyptian) embalming process took a period of forty days. – vs.3
~ As was customary in Egypt, seventy days were reserved for mourning for a loved one who has died.
~ While no precise period of time for mourning the death of a loved one is stipulated in the Old Testament,
we are told that such spanned thirty days in the case of Aaron (Num.20:29) and Moses (Deut.34:8).
In the case of King Saul, who was cremated, they fasted/mourned for seven days (1Sam.31:13).
2. A funeral procession back to the land of Canaan.
Pharaoh granted Joseph’s request to travel to Canaan and oversee his father’s burial. – vss.4-5
Furthermore, Pharaoh directed that Joseph be accompanied by
all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt. - vs.6
And of course, those of Joseph’s household and his brothers and the father’s household. – vs.8a
~ Vs.8b notes that the little ones did not travel with the funeral procession.
Chariots and horsemen also accompanied them (it was a very great company) – vs.9
3. More lamenting and entombment.
Arriving at Atad near Hebron (west of the Jordan River), they observed seven additional days of lamenting. – vs.10
The Canaanites ascertained this to be a great loss for the Egyptians and named the place: meadow of mourning. – vs.11
At Mamre (two miles north of Hebron) they buried Jacob in the cave of the field of Machpelah.
~ Mamre was once a home to Abraham (Gen.13:18; 14:13 & 18:1ff) and Isaac (Gen.35:27).
~ This was the burial site for Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, and Leah (Jacob’s first wife).
4. Post-funeral events.
Joseph and his brothers and the caravan returned to Egypt (the famine was yet lingering). – vs.14
In the aftermath of Jacob’s burial, Joseph’s brothers are still nursing worries about retribution from Joseph. - vss.15f
Joseph’s brothers sent a message to Joseph, reminding him of their father’s desire that he forgive them.
Upon receiving the message Joseph wept and assured them they were forgiven. – vss.17-19
~ Joseph comforted them by saying: you meant evil against me, but GOD meant it for good… - vss.20-21
Joseph remained in Egypt and lived to be 110, witnessed the births of numerous descendants. – vs.23
Joseph prophesied to his brothers: God will surely take care of you, and bring you up to the (promised) land. – vs.24
Joseph made them swear to carry his bones back to the land of Canaan. – vs.25
~ Joseph was embalmed & placed in a coffin, awaiting Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. – vs.26 cf. Ex.13:19 & Josh.24:32
Next week’s assignment 4 Read Exodus 1 - - regarding the children of Israel in Egypt after Joseph’s death.
