Genesis 50:22-26

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 50

22Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

23Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.

24Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.”

25Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.”

26So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Summary:

Joseph and his father’s household dwelt there in Egypt.

Joseph lived to be 110 years old.

Joseph was able to witness his descendants generations after him.

Then he told his brothers that he was dying. But he assured them that God would bring them out of Egypt and into the promised land.

Joseph also made an oath with the children of Israel that they were to carry his bones up with them to the promised land. That is, upon the time when the Lord would bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Then Joseph died, he was embalmed, and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Commentaries and Study Bible Notes:

50:24 God will surely visit you. “Joseph died just as he had lived, firmly trusting in God to carry out His promises.” - MacArthur Study Bible

“The book of Genesis closes with the promise of the land yet unfulfilled but with the expectation of a visitation from on high.” - The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Concerning Joseph...

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 50:22–26

He comforted them with the assurance of their return to Canaan in due time: I die, but God will surely visit you, v. 24

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 50:22–26

He bids them be confident: God will bring you out of this land, and therefore, (1.) They must not hope to settle there, nor look upon it as their rest for ever; they must set their hearts upon the land of promise, and call that their home. (2.) They must not fear sinking, and being ruined there;

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 50:22–26

Herein he has an eye to the promise, ch. 15:13, 14, and, in God’s name, assures them of the performance of it

Key Points/Application:

Expectation of the Faithful

Joseph expected the Lord to fulfill His promise. There was no doubt in Joseph’s mind.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 50

“I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised

Even in his dying years, he did not waver but held fast to the promises and faithfulness of Yahweh. So too should we, we should hold fast to the promise of God’s Kingdom and Glory forever and ever. Also, hold fast to the promise of the Holy Spirit and the sanctification of the saints. We must stay faithful and the faithful, like Joseph, hold fast to God’s promises.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

6but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Comfort

God’s promises are comfort to us, especially in times of confusion and long-suffering.

Concerning Joseph...

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 50:22–26

Thus must we comfort others with the same comforts with which we ourselves have been comforted of God, and encourage them to rest on those promises which have been our support

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 50:22–26

He comforted them with the assurance of their return to Canaan in due time: I die, but God will surely visit you, v. 24. To this purport Jacob had spoken to him, ch. 48:21. Thus must we comfort others with the same comforts with which we ourselves have been comforted of God, and encourage them to rest on those promises which have been our support.

Joseph repeated the refrain, “God will surely take care of you...” two times. This was the greatest comfort Joseph could have given to his brethren in his dying days.