Read with Me
Genesis 50:10-14 (HCSB)
When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wept loudly, and Joseph mourned seven days for his father. When the Canaanite inhabitants of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn mourning on the part of the Egyptians.” Therefore the place is named Abel-mizraim. It is across the Jordan.
So Jacob’s sons did for him what he had commanded them. They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. After Joseph buried his father, he returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone with him to bury his father.
Listen with Me
Even though an official 70-day period of mourning had already taken place in Egypt, when Joseph and the large company that had come with him arrived across the Jordan River from Jericho, the usual crossing point on the Jordan, another seven-day period of mourning was conducted.
It is interesting that by that time, a mere 17 years after entering Egypt, the family of Joseph had become thoroughly “Egyptianized”. They were so undistinguishable from the other Egyptians in their dress, and even in their language, that when the locals saw them, they saw a large group of Egyptians mourning, not a mixed group.
The actual internment went smoothly. The cave was located quickly. Even if Joseph didn’t remember exactly where it was, his brothers had helped Jacob bury Leah there and could lead the group to it. The body of Jacob was laid on the burial slab, and then the cave was reclosed. The whole group then returned to Egypt.
This clearly demonstrates the high character of Joseph. He had sworn an oath to his father to bury him in the family tomb, and even though it took a lot of time and effort, he had done exactly that.
Pray with Me
Father, Joseph truly was a man of integrity. Whether it was Pharaoh or his family, if he made a promise or a commitment, he kept his word to the last detail. I know that for a lot of people, Joseph is remembered as the pushy kid with dreams of grandeur. But that does not represent the man he became. You molded and shaped him through the many hardships you brought him through before his ascension to power, making him into a man who could use that power not only responsibly, but honorably. As for me Lord, You have shaped me through “many dangers, toils and snares”. Help me to continue to grow into the very image of Jesus every day. Amen.