And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph's descendants. And the bones of JosephThe mention of Joseph's bones is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Joseph, a key figure in the history of Israel, had made the Israelites swear to carry his bones out of Egypt ( Genesis 50:25). This act symbolizes the enduring hope and trust in God's promise to bring His people to the Promised Land. The Hebrew word for "bones" (עֲצָמוֹת, 'atzamot) often signifies not just physical remains but also the essence and legacy of a person. which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt
This phrase highlights the continuity of God's plan from the time of the Exodus to the settlement in Canaan. The Israelites' act of bringing Joseph's bones from Egypt signifies their obedience and respect for their forefather's wishes, as well as their acknowledgment of God's providential care. It serves as a tangible link between the past and the present, reminding the Israelites of their shared history and identity. were buried at Shechem
Shechem holds significant historical and spiritual importance in the biblical narrative. It is the place where God first promised the land to Abraham (Genesis 12:6-7) and where Jacob settled and built an altar (Genesis 33:18-20). The burial of Joseph's bones here underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Israel in the land. The act of burial in Shechem also signifies a return to the roots of their faith and the covenantal relationship with God. in the plot of ground that Jacob had purchased
This detail emphasizes the legitimacy and permanence of Israel's claim to the land. Jacob's purchase of the land (Genesis 33:19) is a testament to his faith in God's promise and his desire to establish a lasting heritage for his descendants. The Hebrew word for "purchased" (קָנָה, qanah) implies a rightful acquisition, reinforcing the idea that the land is a divinely ordained inheritance. from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem
Hamor and his son Shechem are notable figures in the Genesis narrative (Genesis 34). The mention of their names here serves as a historical marker, situating the burial of Joseph's bones within the broader context of Israel's ancestral history. It also highlights the transformation of Shechem from a place of past conflict to a site of fulfillment and peace. for a hundred pieces of silver
The specific mention of the price paid for the land underscores the value and significance of the transaction. In biblical times, silver was a common medium of exchange, and the amount indicates a substantial investment by Jacob. This detail reinforces the idea of a legitimate and enduring claim to the land, rooted in both divine promise and human action. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants
The burial of Joseph's bones in Shechem not only fulfills his dying wish but also establishes a tangible inheritance for his descendants. The Hebrew word for "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah) conveys the idea of a permanent possession, passed down through generations. This act symbolizes the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the enduring legacy of faith and promise that Joseph represents. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the hope of future generations in His promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe son of Jacob, whose bones were carried from Egypt to Canaan as a fulfillment of his dying wish. His life account is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. 2. IsraelitesThe descendants of Jacob who carried Joseph's bones from Egypt to Canaan, signifying their respect for Joseph's faith and God's promises. 3. ShechemA significant location in biblical history, where Joseph's bones were buried. It was a place of covenant renewal and a symbol of God's fulfilled promises. 4. JacobThe patriarch who purchased the land at Shechem, which became the burial site for Joseph's bones, highlighting the continuity of God's promises through generations. 5. HamorThe father of Shechem, from whom Jacob purchased the land. This transaction is a reminder of the Israelites' legitimate claim to the land. Teaching Points Faith in God's PromisesJoseph's request to have his bones buried in Canaan reflects a deep faith in God's promises. Believers today are called to trust in God's promises, even when fulfillment seems distant. Legacy of FaithThe Israelites' commitment to fulfilling Joseph's request demonstrates the importance of honoring the faith and legacy of those who have gone before us. God's Faithfulness Across GenerationsThe burial of Joseph's bones in Shechem is a testament to God's faithfulness over generations. We are encouraged to see God's hand in our family history and trust Him for the future. Significance of Place in WorshipShechem's role as a place of covenant renewal reminds us of the importance of sacred spaces in our spiritual journey. Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites' actions in carrying Joseph's bones show the importance of obedience to God's commands, even in seemingly small details. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joseph's faith in God's promises challenge us in our current circumstances? 2. In what ways can we honor the legacy of faith from previous generations in our own lives? 3. How does the account of Joseph's bones being buried in Shechem encourage us to trust in God's faithfulness? 4. What are some "sacred spaces" in your life that have been significant in your spiritual journey, and how can you honor them? 5. How can we ensure that we are obedient to God's commands in both significant and seemingly minor aspects of our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 50:24-25Joseph's request to have his bones carried out of Egypt is a direct precursor to the events in Joshua 24:32, demonstrating his faith in God's promise to bring Israel to the Promised Land. Exodus 13:19Moses' fulfillment of Joseph's request by taking his bones during the Exodus shows the continuity of faith and obedience among the Israelites. Acts 7:15-16Stephen's speech references the burial of Joseph's bones, connecting the Old Testament account to the New Testament understanding of God's faithfulness. People Aaron, Amorites, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Canaanites, Egyptians, Eleazar, Esau, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hamor, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Nachor, Nahor, Nun, Perizzites, Phinehas, Seir, Serah, Terah, ZipporPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Euphrates River, Gaash, Gibeah, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Red Sea, Seir, Shechem, Timnath-serahTopics Bones, Bought, Buried, Descendants, Egypt, Field, Got, Ground, Hamor, Heritage, Hundred, Inheritance, Israelites, Jacob, Joseph, Joseph's, Kesitah, Kesitahs, Money, Parcel, Piece, Pieces, Portion, Property, Shechem, Shechem's, Shekels, Silver, Sons, TractDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 24:32 4363 silver
5137 bones Library February the Tenth Registering a Verdict
"The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey." --JOSHUA xxiv. 22-28. Here was a definite decision. Our peril is that we spend our life in wavering and we never decide. We are like a jury which is always hearing evidence and never gives a verdict. We do much thinking, but we never make up our minds. We let our eyes wander over many things, but we make no choice. Life has no crisis, no culmination. Now people who never decide spend their days in hoping to do so. But this kind of life …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearA Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
'And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3. Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness. …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are
Rom. viii. s 7, 8.--"The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." It is not the least of man's evils, that he knows not how evil he is, therefore the Searcher of the heart of man gives the most perfect account of it, Jer. xvii. 12. "The heart is deceitful above all things," as well as "desperately wicked," two things superlative and excessive in it, bordering upon an infiniteness, such …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 24:32 NIVJoshua 24:32 NLTJoshua 24:32 ESVJoshua 24:32 NASBJoshua 24:32 KJV
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