Genesis 50:7-14 – Up to Canaan
These verses give us an account of the Jacob’s funeral. Of the funerals of the kings of Judah, usually no more is said than that they were buried with their fathers in the city of David, but the funeral of Jacob is more fully described, to show how much better God is to him than he expected (he had spoken more than once of dying for grief, and going to the grave bereaved of his children, but he dies in honour, and is followed to the grave by all his children), and also because his orders concerning his burial were given and observed in faith and expectation of both an earthly and heavenly Canaan.
This is a stately funeral. Jacob is attended to the grave, not only by his own family, but by the courtiers and all the great men of the kingdom, who, in token of their gratitude to Joseph, show this respect to his father for his sake and do him honour at his death. Even though the Egyptians usually despise Hebrews, now that they are better acquainted with them, they begin to have a respect for them. Jacob has behaved so well among them that they respect him. Christians should try, by wisdom and love, to remove the prejudices which many may have against them because they don’t know them.
This is a sorrowful funeral, as is evident to the passers-by. The death of good men is a great loss to any place. The solemn mourning for Jacob gave a name to the place, the mourning of the Egyptians, which serves as a testimony against the next generation of the Egyptians, who oppressed the descendants of this Jacob to whom their ancestors showed such respect.
Questions
- Why is there so much detail about Jacob’s funeral?
- Why do Egyptians go to Jacob’s funeral?
- How had Jacob changed the Egyptians’ minds about Hebrews?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would treat unbelievers with wisdom, honesty, and love.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.