Genesis 50:1-14

Genesis 50: 1-14 (summarized)

Jacob died and Joseph wept and kissed him. Then, he directed the physicians to embalm his father’s corpse. It took them 40 days to complete the process. After that, Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. As the days of mourning passed Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’ ” Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” So Joseph went up to bury his father. He was accompanied by all of Pharaoh’s officials. When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. They were seen by the Canaanites who lived there and they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim. So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them:  They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

Message:

Here I learned about the 40 days of embalming and 70 days of mourning, concepts which were not mentioned before this chapter. Also, I learned about the great regard extended by Egyptians to Joseph as all dignitaries in Pharaoh’s place accompanied him on his way back to Canaan to bury his father. Mutual respect surfaced as Joseph asked for Pharaoh’s approval of his departure from Egypt to bury his father and as Pharaoh allowed Joseph to do what he promised to Jacob and let his men accompany Joseph. Moreover, Joseph’s determination of fulfilling his vow to his father is reflected here. He did not think of difficulties that he had to overcome for the sake of satisfying Jacob’s request.

Application:

I will not hesitate to manifest sympathy and concern to those who experience loss.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for making me realize the value of demonstrating sympathy and concern for others. Thank you Lord for letting me see thru this chapter that mutual respect can be possible even between people of different convictions. Lord, bestow upon me the understanding of Pharaoh and the humility of Joseph that I may be able to reflect your message of love and peace among my fellows. This I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.