Joseph knew that Egypt wouldn’t always be his home. He had served the country with honor and loyalty and lived to the ripe age of 110. But, his time there was only a chapter of God’s provision, for “there arose a king that knew not Joseph…” (Exodus 1:8). Resentment grew among the Egyptian leaders as the population of the children of Israel grew, and their cruelty became unbearable making them cry out for deliverance. The Lord heard them… “I have surely seen the affliction of My people, who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings” (Exodus 3:7).
God often takes His people into a place of provision, BUT later makes a way for them to move on in His perfect will. Such is our time here on earth… living in a land that we know isn’t our true Home, but God provides beautifully for us while we sojourn here. But, a day is coming when our great Deliverer will come and will take us to “Meet Him in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
At the end of Joseph’s life he gave clear instructions to his people… “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you” (Genesis 50:25). They did exactly as he asked. Isn’t it interesting that even Joseph’s bones (his earthly vessel) were taken home to His own land? So, too, will there be a resurrection of our bodies… “The natural body sown in death will be raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-57). And Philippians 3:20,21, reminds us that Christ’s resurrected body is our example; buried and raised again to a new glorified body. We have far more life AHEAD of us than behind us!
Friends, we may all be feeling the harshness of living in our “Egypt,” with all its problems, but God hears our prayers. He is eagerly waiting for the day He can take us out of here and into the “Home He has prepared for us.” He will leave none of His own behind… not even their bodies that have died… ALL of who you are is precious to Him and will be delivered.
Egypt won’t last forever… Heaven is coming! What joy we have ahead of us!
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