The Good Death

Read Genesis 49:28-50:14
Part of living a godly life is finishing it in a godly death. Maybe you’ve been to a funeral before; maybe several, so you might have the ability of a comparison, or maybe not. Personally, I’ve been to a number of funerals, probably more than is good for someone my age, but the experiences have left me with an understanding of what it means to have a godly death. The death and mourning may not always look the same, but the focus is the same; God. The life and death of a person who has lived in pursuit of God can be so powerful that even non-believers feel presence of God’s peace and hope during the period of grief and mourning. It was the same at Jacob’s death.

After blessing his sons we see that Jacob gave specific instructions to his sons about where to bury him. This is important because for Jacob it’s not just about being buried in the promised land; there is a spiritual significance about being buried in the same place with his forefathers who also lived under the covenantal promise. It is Jacob identifying himself by his relationship to God even after his death.

How are you living in such a way that those who come after you will identify you by your relationship to God?

Another thing to note about this passage is how the Egyptians mourned Jacob for seventy days. Israel and his descendents were foreigners and shepherds. Yet, the nation mourns for Jacob. Jacob must’ve had a tremendous influence by the life that he lived in Egypt in order to have that kind of national effect as a foreigner. I don’t know about you, but seventy days for actual ceremonial mourning is a long time. How is it that Jacob came to such recognition in Egypt in such a short time? Not only that but after the official mourning time in Egypt Pharaoh granted Joseph’s request to let him return and bury Jacob with his forefathers . . . along with the all of Pharaoh’s officials and dignitaries where they continued in mourning and caused such a stir even among the Canaanites that they renamed Jacob’s place of burial based on this one funeral! I think in a way it makes Jacob’s burial place much more poignant for this ; since the members of Pharaoh’s court could have no doubt of the significance of this burial place to both Jacob and his family, and for the promise of the covenant under which they lived. At the same time it’s a vivid reminder to Jacob’s son through all of this about the purpose of their lives. They may be living in Egypt, but they are pilgrims looking forward to the fulfillment of the promise and the promised land. It’s a moment that Jacob arranges in his death for his sons to come to terms with their own relationship with God and their place in the covenant.

Take some time to consider the ultimate goals that you are pursuing and align yourself with God and his plans for you. Ask for a willing spirit to help you be obedient to the things God desires for you. Ask God to help you understand how to live godly life, and to help you with the love, courage, humility you need to live it.