Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 47:27-31.

“Now Israel (a/k/a Jacob) lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous.  Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years;  so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.

When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness.  Please do not bury me in Egypt, but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”  And he said, “I will do as you have said.”  He said, “Swear to me.”  So he swore to him.  Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.”  Genesis 47:27-31.

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Jacob did not want to be buried in Egypt;  Jacob wanted to be buried back in Canaan, his home, the land God promised to them, in the burial grounds of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac.

Despite all the good things that happened to Jacob in Egypt as stated in today’s Scripture, reunion with his beloved son Joseph and his family being all together and prospering and becoming numerous, Jacob did not consider Egypt his home.

Joseph was honored for his faith in Hebrews chapter 11, the Hall of Fame for faith, and Jacob should also be honored for his faith for making similar orders concerning his bones .  “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”  Hebrews 11:22.  

We too know our true home.

There are some descriptions about our home that can be accessed through either clicking on the Headnote titled “Heaven” above on this home page or through the following link – https://reformeddoctrine.com/heaven/

“By faith he (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:9-10.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”  Philippians 3:20-21.