May we not spiritualize this promise confirmed by an oath? Doth not JESUS in effect promise the same, to all his people. John 11:25-26; Hosea 13:14; Hebrews 6:17-18; Genesis 47:1
REFLECTIONS
What sweet lessons do the lives of the Patriarchs Jacob and Joseph afford, of endearing ties of parental and filial affection? Would we learn the influence of grace refining nature's feelings, let us read over those sacred records.
Reader! do not forget to spiritualize the Egyptian monarch's question to the hoary Patriarch, and ask the same of your own heart. How old are you m grace? What years, what days can you number since you were new born? Few and evil no doubt are the best of our days in the best of our pilgrimage. But do not forget that the spiritual arithmetic is not counted by natural calculations' for the child of grace shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner still remaining in an unconverted, unrenewed state, being an hundred gears old shall be accursed.
From the tender affection of Joseph to his dying father, in the promise he made him, let me turn my eyes and contemplate Joseph's LORD and Saviour in the promise he troth left to all his people. He saith to all the true spiritual seed of Israel now, as to the Patriarch himself; Fear not to go down to the grave, I will be with thee. And this thought is a sweet thought: the covenant holds good in death as in life. The grave cannot dissolve it. When we live, we live unto the LORD: and when we die, we die unto the Lord: so that living or dying we are the LORD'S. O thou that hast the keys of hell and death; sweetest Saviour! be thou my GOD, my guide and my companion, both in life and in death: then to live will be CHRIST, and to die will be gain.