Lesson 394: "Don't Bury Me in Egypt"

The bones of Joseph, carried 40 years across the wilderness, were testimony of a promise (Ex. 50:24-26). This promise started with Abraham when God gave him the Land of Canaan (Gen. 12:12) and promised he would father many nations (Gen. 17:5-8). Abraham did not see this promise fulfilled but on faith he buried his beloved Sarah in this land (Gen. 23:18-20), and later he was buried with her (Gen. 25:8-10). Jacob was buried in the Land of Canaan after a promise from Joseph (Gen. 47:30, 49:29-32) and eventually Joseph himself would be buried there (Gen. 50:24-26).

Joseph, although his brothers called him a dreamer (Gen. 37:19), was a prophet and it is my opinion that he saw a glorious event taking place centuries after his death. He wanted to be a part of this and because Moses carried “the bones of Joseph” with him out of Egypt (Ex. 13:19), maybe, just maybe Joseph was a part of Matthew 27:51-53. Scripture does not tell us who these “many” were but we do know the raised gave us proof that we Christians too, will experience this blessed promise of resurrection (1 Thess. 4:13-16). It was by faith, even though after physical death, that Abraham, Jacob and Joseph reached the Promised Land and by this faith, we too will be changed and enter the Kingdom of Heaven; the ultimate Promised Land (1 Cor. 15:50-58).

You might wonder why God allowed all these “bones” to enter the land but buried Moses so he would never be found (Deut. 34:5). God allowed him to “view” the land but because he failed to follow the Command of God to the letter, Moses would not go in (Deut. 32:48-52). Here is another theory. I think that if the Israelites had of found the bones of Moses they would have carried them in to Canaan with the bones of Joseph (Jos. 24:32). The Israelites, as you remember, were not known for their obedience, therefore God took temptation out of the way. He said Moses would not go into the earthly Land of Canaan and saw to it no one would try to change His plan (Job 42:2).

Did Moses ever “get in”? Absolutely! Moses entered by faith, because he was looking for God’s reward (Heb. 11:26). “To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me” (Col. 1:29), and I will not be buried in Egypt (bondage of sin) because The Son has set me free (John 8:36).