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He Died In Faith - The Story of Jacob (Gen. 45)
He Died In Faith - The Story of Jacob (Gen. 45)
James Smith wrote: “The last chapters of Genesis focus on Jacob, with a few glimpses of Joseph. Jacob was 130 when he entered Egypt in 1877 b.c. He lived there with his sons for seventeen years before his death. His faithfulness to the Lord is evident in the last five events of his life.”.
“In a vision of the night God appeared to Jacob for the last time. The Lord calmed his fears about the future of the covenant family by making some wonderful promises to him. God promised to (1) make a great nation of him there, (2) go down to Egypt with him, (3) bring him back to Canaan, and (4) cause Joseph to close his father’s eyes in death (46:1–4).” (James Smith, Old Testament Survey Series: The Pentateuch; pg. 220-221).
Hebrews states concerning Jacob: “By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff” (Hebrews 11:21).
Learning to trust God (walk/live by faith) is not easy and doesn’t always come quickly! Jacob has had many struggles in his life, yet God has been there the whole time.
For us, these things were written (read Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10). We not only see Jacob receiving the PROMISES of God, we read about their being fulfilled! God is faithful. We need the faith of Jacob without all the drama that he produced! What will they say about your end of life moments? Hebrews says of these Old Testament people: “they all died in faith…”. Will that be your tribute?
Hugh DeLong
