My Faith

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[[..:index|Bible Study Index]] | [[genesis|Genesis]]
====== Genesis Chapter 50 ======
===== Jacob's Burial (50:1 - 50-14) =====
[[https://netbible.org/bible/Genesis+50|NET Bible]] | [[https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/genesis-50/|Enduring Word Commentary]]
==== How long was the mourning period for Jacob? Why is this significant? ====
The mourning period of 70 days. This was very long and significant because the royal mourning period in Egypt was possibly only 72 days long, so Jacob (via Joseph) was given a high honor.

"Luther remarks that there is no burial recorded in the Scriptures quite as honorable as this or with such wealth of detail." (Leupold)

==== How old was Jacob as his death? ====
Jacob was 147 years old when he died. According to the genealogies in Genesis, Abraham would have been alive with Noah's sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

==== What are some significant details about Jacob's burial? ====
Though Jacob's sons often disappointed him in life they obeyed and honored him in death.

Jacob was buried in the same cave purchased by Abraham in [[https://netbible.org/bible/Genesis+23|Genesis 23:9]]. Also buried here are Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah.
===== Joseph's Kindness (50:15 - 50:21) =====

==== Joseph's brothers thought he might take revenge on them once their father was dead. Is there any earlier precedent for this? ====
Yes, in [[https://netbible.org/bible/Genesis+27|Genesis 27:41]], Esau vowed to take revenge on Jacob once Isaac was dead.
==== What is significant about the brother's quote? ====
The brothers admit that what they did to Joseph was evil and harmful, this may indicate remorse.

==== Did Jacob really tell the brothers to tell Joseph to forgive them or was this made up? ====
No clear answer here but it is possible they made it up. It seems more likely that if Jacob wanted Joseph to do something, he would have told Joseph, not the brothers. This may also be why Joseph wept, because his brothers thought Joseph would not have given them mercy if they had simply asked themselves.

==== Why did Joseph say he would not seek revenge? ====
Joseph tells them that since he is not God, it is not his place to take revenge.

==== Does Joseph relieve his brothers of guilt when said that God intended their actions for a good purpose? ====
No, Joseph does not relieve his brothers of their guilt but he says that God turned their evil to good.

We know that:
  * God can turn all evil to good.
  * Our lives are in the hands of God who can overturn all evil, not men.
  * By bringing the Israelites to Egypt, God saved them from dying to the famine or having the survivors being assimilated in the Canaanites. This ultimately allows the coming of the Messiah to save all mankind.
===== Joseph's Death (50-22 - 50-26) =====
==== Was Joseph ever buried in Egypt? ====
Joseph was embalmed and placed in a coffin but there is no indication that he was ever buried in Egypt. His coffin may have remained above ground as a reminder that the Israelites would eventually be led to the promised land.