MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 47:29-31
ISRAEL’S PREPARATION FOR DEATH
Jacob felt that the inevitable hour was drawing nigh. “The time drew nigh that Israel must die,”—even this man who had “power over the angel and prevailed.” He calmly prepares for the end of his earthly pilgrimage:—
I. By an act of faith. He engages Joseph by a solemn oath not to bury him in Egypt, but in the sepulchre of his fathers in Canaan. There was in this request the expression of a natural feeling. Men naturally desire to have at last with their kindred some kind of union in the grave. But with Jacob, there was a desire beyond this; a desire born of strong faith in God. Like Joseph, afterwards, he “by faith gave commandment concerning his bones.” He believed in God’s promise, and remembered His holy covenant. And as a sign of his faith, he desired that his body should take a previous possession of the promised land.
II. By an act of adoration. “Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.” In Hebrews 11:21, it is said that “he worshipped leaning on the top of his staff.” He adored the power and the goodness of God. He expressed the gratitude of his heart for past mercies, for God’s appearances to him in the time of trouble, for his faith often in darkness, but still patient to wait for the light; for the assurance of the truth of the Divine promise that his seed should inherit the land, and for the prospect before him of seeing God’s salvation, which he had so long waited for. He would also thank God for the closing token of filial duty rendered by his beloved son. The staff by which he crossed the Jordan, and which was with him through all his weary pilgrimage would, by the power of association, aid him to remember all the way which the Lord, his God, had led him.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 47:29-30. This he requested, partly to testify his faith concerning the Promised Land, heaven, and the resurrection; partly to confirm his family in the same faith; and that they might not be glued to the pleasures of Egypt, but wait for their return to Canaan; and partly also to declare his love to his ancestors, together with the felicity he took in the communion of saints.—(Trapp).
Although we know that we can have no converse with our kindred in that house of silence, yet it gives us some pleasure while we yet live to think that our dust shall mingle with the dust of those whom we love. But the Apostle acquaints us with the secret of his injunction. (Hebrews 11:22). By having his dead body conveyed to that land, he published to his seed and to the world that he believed and embraced the promise, and that he was well satisfied both with the country and with the security given him for the possession of it. In this emphatic declaration of his faith he had in view also the benefit of survivors.—(Bush).
Genesis 47:31. He could not go to an altar built for sacrifices of praise; but he exerted all the vigour left him, with the help of his staff, on which he leaned, and performed his devotions in such a posture as showed his reverence and joy.—(Bush).
The venerable man, however, is not yet at the point of death, but is desirous of setting things in order, that when he comes to die he may have nothing else to think about.—(Fuller).