Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” (Genesis 50:24, 25)
Who are we? Where do we come from? Why are we here?
Questions that are fitting for the individual, but are also important for the collective consciousness. The book of Genesis is a book of beginnings. The beginning of the world, the beginning of humanity, the beginning of a nation. As with genes themselves a lot can be surmised from that which is in the beginning. The code that defines how we are who we are can be found there.
For the nation of Israel their beginning is encapsulated in the journeys of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. From Ur to Egypt the actual geographical range of travel wouldn’t comparatively be that far. For the birth of a nation the journey was very extensive indeed.
As the journey reaches the point of the death and burial of Jacob, so is it a good time to reflect on the constant in the journey. The One who started the journey with a promise to Adam reiterated the promise in relationship with Noah, Abram, Isaac and Jacob. As Joseph is ready to fall asleep and return to his people, he reminds those that remain to hold onto to the One who started the journey and gt ready for the fulfilment.
There is so much to glean from the entire journey, but at this juncture it’s good to remember however comfortable we may be where we are, however settled and established, however good or promising the circumstances are where we are, we are to be reminded that where we are is not the destination.
The same God who called Abram out to a land He has designated for him, is the same God whose Son calls us to a place promised for us. It is not where we are, though we can certainly express the values of our home to come in the present.
We will express that as we look forward to the Kingdom to come as we hold on to the faith of the one who calls us.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 