Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible. Let's look back at the original account in Genesis 50 to find out a little more about this faith Joseph exhibited.
I'm using the KJV today for a reason here. Please notice the words translated "surely visit," which occur in both verses 24 and 25. The original Hebrew for surely visit is "paqad paqad," and with that we see that wonderful repetition we find in the Bible when God knows we need to have something repeated!
Paqad as used in the Bible can refer to a visit of a punishment or judgment, or else a visit of salvation and deliverance. In this case, as Joseph gives the directive regarding his bones, Joseph is looking forward to the latter type of visit, God's sure deliverance of His people out of Egypt. Joseph had the firm assurance and abiding hope that God would surely visit His people and bring them out of Egypt and lead them into the promised land, with them carrying his bones along with them.
We find those same words "paqad paqad," or "surely visit" used in Exodus to proclaim the time had come and God's promise was coming to fruition, e.g.- Exodus 3:16 (KJV) (see also 4:31
And then we see Moses and the Israelites carrying Joseph's bones...
You can read for yourself in Joshua 24 the account of Joseph's bones being buried in the promised land.
Many times as we look around and see the current condition of the Church, as we see so many individuals and more and more denominations walking according to the imagination of their hearts, that it seems there is no one valiant for the truth, we can be tempted to wonder what God is doing, and we may begin to question and doubt and despair and lose hope and want to give up. We begin to wonder if God is going to "surely visit" us. However, when we go back to the Scripture and read of God's continuing covenant love, mercies and grace toward His people reflected in such words as Joseph's proclamation of faith: "God will surely visit you," our eyes move off what we see – our distressing circumstances (and from the temptation to despair and hopelessness) – and onto Him who is invisible – our everlasting God – and His power and His promises. That's the reason I bring these words of Joseph to you today: "God will surely visit you," for I found them so encouraging, a real balm and blessing for my soul, and my prayer is that the Lord might encourage you through them as well.
We must keep in mind that we not God's counselors, we do not know His mind, but we do know God is always faithful to His flock purchased with the precious blood of Christ, and He will surely visit His covenant people, His Church, in His way and His time for His greatest glory. He will not only be gracious but very gracious to His people (see Isaiah 30:18-19 - and note there that same repetition takes place: "very gracious" is the Hebrew chanan chanan).
The other thing that is wonderful about this whole account is that we know the Lord was sovereign over the comings and goings of His people, including those 430 years in Egypt, that they weren't an accident, and they didn't catch God by surprise. Not at all! And by faith, Joseph had the ability to look beyond all those years in Egypt to Israel's exodus and return to the promised land. And that's the kind of faith we are needing day by day. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
In Genesis 15, after Abraham believes the Lord and God credits his faith to him for righteousness, and a deep sleep comes upon Abram, just before God cuts the covenant, God spoke to Abram of the coming bondage in Egypt. (This is also spoken of by Stephen at the beginning of Acts 7.)
For those of us who are seeking revival in the Church and called to be watchmen on the wall (Isaiah 62:6-7), the temptations are great. May we may be continually strengthened as we abide in the Word of God, and let His Word abide in us, in this case that wonderful promise that "God will surely visit" us.
Holy Father, Thank You for providing the daily bread of Your Word, which is living and active, the only true sustenance for our souls. When we are tempted to be weary or discouraged or despair, draw us back to Your Word and so we might eat and receive the strength and assurance we need to uphold us, so we might walk worthy of the calling with which You have called us, to walk in the works You have ordained for us and finish our race with perseverance and joy. As our days are, so shall our strength be. May we go from strength to strength as we continue to commune with and eat and drink of the living Christ through Your blessed Holy Spirit.
Thank You, LORD, for the continued reminders of Your faithfulness to Your people we see throughout the Scripture and Church history. You have given us these things to us an example to us. May we not be negligent but continue to study these events, so we might spur ourselves and one another unto love and good deeds, and persevere in prayer and the ministry of the Word, no matter what we might see – so we, like Joseph, may walk by faith, and not by sight. We look forward to the day that you will surely visit us, even if that day might come after we are dead in our coffins. May Your grant us grace to remain steadfast, knowing our labor in Jesus Christ is not in vain. Amen.
Please add your PRAYERS as the Holy Spirit leads you.
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