Joseph, a central figure in the Genesis narrative, is renowned for his journey from being sold into slavery by his brothers to becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt. His life is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. The account of Joseph's death and his final instructions is found in Genesis 50:22-26.

Context and Background

Joseph lived in Egypt for 93 years, having been brought there at the age of 17 (Genesis 37:2) and living until the age of 110 (Genesis 50:22). During his lifetime, he witnessed the fulfillment of God's promises to his family, including the migration of his father Jacob and his brothers to Egypt during a severe famine. Joseph's leadership and wisdom not only saved Egypt but also preserved the nascent nation of Israel.

Joseph's Final Years

Genesis 50:22-23 states, "Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110. He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children of Machir, son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph’s knees." This passage highlights Joseph's long life and the blessing of seeing his descendants grow, a sign of God's favor and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant through his lineage.

Final Instructions and Death

As Joseph approached the end of his life, he gathered his brothers and gave them a prophetic charge. Genesis 50:24-25 records his words: "Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, 'God will surely attend to you, and you must carry my bones up from this place.'"

Joseph's instructions were rooted in his unwavering faith in God's promises. He believed that God would fulfill His covenant by bringing the Israelites back to the Promised Land. By requesting that his bones be carried out of Egypt, Joseph demonstrated his identification with the covenantal promises and his hope in God's future deliverance.

Burial and Legacy

Joseph's death is succinctly noted in Genesis 50:26: "So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt." The embalming and placement in a coffin were customary Egyptian practices, reflecting Joseph's high status in Egyptian society. However, his request to have his bones eventually moved to Canaan signified his enduring connection to the land promised by God to his forefathers.

Joseph's faith and foresight were later honored when Moses, during the Exodus, took Joseph's bones with him as the Israelites left Egypt (Exodus 13:19). Eventually, Joseph's remains were buried at Shechem in the land of Canaan (Joshua 24:32), fulfilling his final wish and symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.

Joseph's death and final instructions serve as a powerful reminder of faith in God's promises and the hope of future redemption, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.