The Promised Land
Notes
Transcript
Genesis 47:29-30
Genesis 47:29-30
Genesis 50:1-3, 7-10
Genesis 50:1-3, 7-10
Genesis 50:15, 18-26
Genesis 50:15, 18-26
Jacob desired to be buried in Canaan
Jacob desired to be buried in Canaan
We talked last week about how God promised Jacob that He would bring him out of Egypt.
Genesis 46:4 “I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.””
Jacob was desiring a fulfillment of the promise that had been given to his grandfather Abraham.
Joseph and many in Egypt mourn for Jacob for 70 days, then travel to Canaan and have a 7 day graveside.
I’ve seen sometimes Christians feel that it’s wrong to mourn someone that we’ve lost.
We think we have no faith if we mourn them.
The bible says, “don’t mourn as those who have no hope,” not that it’s wrong to mourn.
The loss is real, it’s okay to mourn.
We mourn, knowing that we will be re-united with them in eternity.
Jacob desired to be buried in Canaan because he was looking forward to the heavenly city who’s builder and maker was God.
But Jacob was also looking for God to fulfill the promises that he had made concerning this world.
Joseph wasn’t buried in Canaan, but wanted to be brought out of Egypt
Joseph wasn’t buried in Canaan, but wanted to be brought out of Egypt
v.50:25
God will visit, and bring you out of the land of Egypt.
Joseph’s statement shows he believed God was faithful to His promise.
Joseph believed what God had said, that God would bring them out, and to the land He had given them.
This statement is one of faith, knowing that God will fulfill what He had promised.
This statement shows a lack of fear, and a presence of faith in the promises of God.
Our Journey to the Promise Land
Our Journey to the Promise Land
We believe the promise of God
John 14:1-4
John 14:1-4
We have a heavenly inheritance.
Just as Jacob and Joseph were looking for their inheritance in Canaan, we should be looking for our inheritance in heaven.
They knew that God was faithful to fulfill what He had promised.
We must remember that God is faithful to fulfill what He has promised.
Purpose within this world
Purpose within this world
Our focus needs to be on our journey to the promise land, our journey to heaven.
But we can become so focused on heaven, that we stop doing what is right here in this world.
God created this world, and He intends us to be apart of it.
We are to be making friends, building relationships.
Showing hospitality by having people over for dinner, having BBQ’s, throwing parties, all while rejoicing in the Lord and celebrating what He has done.
We should be raising our kids and grand kids to follow God.
Teaching them wisdom of how to live faithfully for God in this broken world.
We should be starting businesses
This is loving our neighbors by providing them with trusted businesses that they can buy good quality things from.
Providing good employment opportunities and a healthy environment for people in the community.
We should be involved in politics
Seeking to have a government structure that restrains the evil in our country and provides an opportunity for our descendants to worship the Lord and flourish in their faith.
I believe Jacob and Joseph were both focused on heaven, but they were also focused on God fulfilling His promises concerning this world.
At the end of his life, Jacob gives prophecies concerning his sons.
The prophecies given to the sons shows that God has a purpose for us in life.
They also show that our actions are noticed, and have effects and ramifications.
Reuben
v.3-4a
Unstable, untrustworthy.
One minute he does what is right, the next he does something that is totally wrong.
Titus 1:8
but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Lover of good, one who is always seeking to follow the will on God, not going back to their own desires.
Leaders must be self-controlled. Temperate. Able to restrain passions and desires.
Disciplined, they have trained themselves to do what is right.
Reuben was a bad example, but his example shows us how we should be acting as we live longing for the kingdom of heaven.
Simeon and Levi
v.7
They are unstained in their anger.
Titus 1:7
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
quick tempered. Another reproof, don’t be like them.
You have a purpose to glorify God in this world.
You will undermine what you are trying to accomplish if you cannot control your anger.
Judah
v.8-10
Judah is compared to a lion.
Not one who is roaring, ravaging the countryside.
But a lion who has power and control. One who is satisfied and isn’t creating vexation in others.
I think of Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia, “Of course he’s dangerous he’s a lion, but he’s good.”
This is also reminder of the type of dominion God has called us to take.
We confidently rest in the strength of God.
We continue to take the things that He has placed in our control, and bring those things under subjection for the glory of God.
With judah there is a prophecy about the messiah as well.
Jesus was a descendant of Judah, He is ruling and the scepter shall not depart.
He shall rule, how long? “Until all people are obedient.”
When speaking of our job as we move towards the promise land, it is important to note that we are to be recognizing the one true king, who is ruling.
And we are to be calling people to be obedient to Him.
By doing so we are recognizing the same thing Joseph saw. That God is sovereign over all things. We are simply pointing people to Him, and declaring that Christ is King.
Zebulun
v.13
God establishes our boarders.
Acts 17:26
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
The places we live are under His control.
Sidon being a horrible place of pagan worship and practice.
Sometimes God places us right in the thick of it, sometimes he calls you to live and to reach people in the canyon. But God has placed you here, in this place, for this time.
“Zebulun shall be a haven”
Flourish where God has placed you, for the kingdom of God.
Become a haven from the onslaught of the world.
A lighthouse in the rough sea’s.
Dan
v.16
Dan is one of the tribes that many judges would rise from, including Samson.
Many of those judges would use cunning to deliver the people.
Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
While we examine our purpose in the world, we remember that we are in a spiritual war zone. Surrounded by people who would seek to destroy us.
Jesus called us to be as wise as serpents, but innocent as doves.
We are striving, longing for heaven. But we aren’t there yet. Be wise in how you wage war against this culture.
Joseph
v.22-24
God has caused Joseph to flourish in the land of his affliction.
Though many sought to destroy Him, God was the preserver, and kept him through the trials.
When Joseph faced trials, he remembered that God was in control.
We must remember that God is sovereign (He is ruling), and He is omnipotent (strong enough to enforce His rule).
He has promised us a home in heaven.
We need to remember do not be afraid of what happens to us in this world, for we know where our true home is.
We must continue to long for that home.
The Israelites shortly after Joseph would be enslaved. The promise of the land of Canaan was to give them hope through their struggles.
While we are here, we have a job, we have a purpose.
We are not allowed to sit back on our laurels and do nothing.
We must work.
While we work, we long for our heavenly home, waiting for the blessed hope that will be revealed to us on the last day.