A Coffin in Egypt (Genesis 50:26)

2022-02-23

Genesis, the book that began with the glorious, perfect creation teeming with life, ended with a coffin in Egypt:

So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Genesis 50:26)

However, this is not all sad news. “And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence” (Genesis 50:25). About four centuries later, we read, “And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you” (Exodus 13:19).

Joseph’s commandment was called an act of faith: “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones” (Hebrews 11:22).

Joseph believed God’s promise concerning Israel’s rescue from Egypt, and for them to return to the land of Canaan, as was promised to Abraham:

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (Genesis 15:13-14)

Moreover, Joseph must have known something about a future resurrection; otherwise, why would he care what happens to his remains?

That is why there is hope when we read about a coffin in Egypt.