TEXT:

SUBJECT: Joseph

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, `I die: and God will surely visit you..."

The children of Israel are gathered at the home of Joseph. Around him are children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews, all of whom owe their very lives to him.

But Joseph is dying. And this leaves his relatives not only sorrowing, but dreadfully afraid. For they live in a land, not their own, but belonging to a numerous and warlike people.

The Egyptians were a xenophobic nation, suspicious and hateful of everything foreign. And nothing could be more "foreign" to them than the Hebrews, a people with religion and culture infinitely removed from their own. Their mere "separateness", therefore, made the Hebrews a marked people.

The Egyptians were also a proud people, who looked down on others with a prejudiced eye. Among those they found most odious were "shepherds", the very occupation in which Israel and his sons were employed. This too added to their danger.

The Egyptians were also becoming, it seems, resentful. For the Hebrews had not only come to Egypt, but were given special privileges in the land of their sojourn. They prospered far beyond other foreigners, indeed more than the Egyptians themselves.

Thus, it was inevitable that "a king would arise in Egypt who knew not Joseph". It was just a matter of time till the Hebrews every fear would be realized--and then some.

For Joseph had been their protector, their benefactor, and their promoter in Pharaoh's court. But now, aged 110 years, "he dies". The Israelites, therefore, are terribly frightened.

But the dying prince offers his kinsmen the reassuring words: "I die, but God will surely visit you".

What he means is this: "I, your guardian and patron will soon be gone. But fear not! God Himself will take my place. He will become your shield and exceeding great reward".

And, of course, Joseph was right. God took the place of Joseph and became, not only the Hebrews' protector in Egypt, but their Savior from the Iron Furnace of Affliction. The deliverance was long in coming. More than 300 years. But it came. And Joseph's pledge was finally redeemed.

From this Scripture, we ought to derive a simple lesson: Whenever God takes something from us, be it ever so precious, He also gives us something better in return.

He took from Paul good health; but gave him something much better: sufficient grace.

He took from Jacob his agility; but gave him something of higher value: power with God and man.

And now, He has taken from us an revered minister and an esteemed brother. Shall He then leave us bereft?

No. "They die: but God will visit us".

He will make up for their loss in some marvelous way. The return may come sooner. It may come later. But come it must.

And so, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning".