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Commentary on Genesis 47 verses 27–31
Observe, 1. The comfort Jacob lived in (Gen 47:27, Gen 47:28); while the Egyptians were impoverished in their own land, Jacob was replenished in a strange land. He lived seventeen years after he came into Egypt, far beyond his own expectation. Seventeen years he had nourished Joseph (for so old he was when he was sold from him, Gen 37:2), and now, by way of requital, seventeen years Joseph nourished him. Observe how kindly Providence ordered Jacob's affairs, that when he was old, and least able to bear care or fatigue, he had least occasion for it, being well provided for by his son without his own forecast. Thus God considers the frame of his people. 2. The care Jacob died in. At last the time drew nigh that Israel must die, Gen 47:29. Israel, a prince with God, that had power over the angel and prevailed, yet must yield to death. There is no remedy, he must die: it is appointed for all men, therefore for him; and there is no discharge in that war. Joseph supplied him with bread, that he might not die by famine; but this did not secure him from dying by age or sickness. He died by degrees; his candle was not blown out, but gradually burnt down to the socket, so that he saw, at some distance, the time drawing nigh. Note, It is an improvable advantage to see the approach of death before we feel its arrests, that we may be quickened to do what our hand finds to do with all our might: however, it is not far from any of us. Now Jacob's care, as he saw the day approaching, was about his burial, not the pomp of it (he was no way solicitous about that), but the place of it. (1.) He would be buried in Canaan. This he resolved on, not from mere humour, because Canaan was the land of his nativity, but in faith, because it was the land of promise (which he desired thus, as it were, to keep possession of, till the time should come when his posterity should be masters of it), and because it was a type of heaven, that better country which he that said these things declared plainly that he was in expectation of, Heb 11:14. He aimed at a good land, which would be his rest and bliss on the other side death. (2.) He would have Joseph sworn to bring him thither to be buried (Gen 47:29, Gen 47:31), that Joseph, being under such a solemn obligation to do it, might have that to answer to the objections which otherwise might have been made against it, and for the greater satisfaction of Jacob now in his dying minutes. Nothing will better help to make a death-bed easy than the certain prospect of a rest in Canaan after death. (3.) When this was done Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head, yielding himself, as it were, to the stroke of death ("Now let it come, and it shall be welcome"), or worshipping God, as it is explained, Heb 11:21, giving God thanks for all his favours, and particularly for this, that Joseph was ready, not only to put his hand upon his eyes to close them, but under his thigh to give him the satisfaction he desired concerning his burial. Thus those that go down to the dust should, with humble thankfulness, bow before God, the God of their mercies, Psa 22:29.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 47:30 captures the poignant and faith-filled final request of Jacob (Israel) to his beloved son Joseph. Recognizing his approaching death, Jacob solemnly asks Joseph to ensure his burial is not in Egypt, the land of his temporary dwelling, but rather with his ancestors in the Promised Land. Joseph's immediate and respectful affirmation of this request underscores not only his filial devotion but also the profound significance of Jacob's unwavering trust in God's covenant promises, his deep attachment to his lineage, and his enduring hope for an eternal inheritance that transcends his earthly life in a foreign land.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Euphemism is evident in the phrase "I will lie with my fathers," which serves as a gentle and respectful way to refer to death without explicitly stating it. This common biblical idiom highlights the continuity of family lineage even in the grave. Symbolism is powerfully present in Jacob's desire to be carried "out of Egypt" and buried in "their buryingplace." Egypt symbolizes the temporary, foreign sojourn, while the ancestral burial ground in Canaan symbolizes the Promised Land, God's covenant faithfulness, and the ultimate spiritual inheritance. Jacob's choice is a symbolic act of faith, claiming the land even in death. Furthermore, this request serves as a clear Foreshadowing of Joseph's own dying wish in Genesis 50:25, where he similarly instructs his brothers to carry his bones out of Egypt when God leads them back to the Promised Land, reinforcing the theme of faith in God's future deliverance and promises. The Contrast between Egypt (a land of temporary refuge) and Canaan (the land of permanent promise) is also a key element, emphasizing Jacob's spiritual allegiance over his physical circumstances.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's earnest and specific request regarding his burial place in Genesis 47:30 is far more than a personal preference; it is a profound theological statement. It stands as a testament to his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises, particularly the promise of the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. Despite living in prosperity in Egypt, Jacob's heart remained fixed on the divine pledge, demonstrating that his identity and ultimate hope were tied to God's faithfulness, not to earthly comfort or security. This act underscores the generational nature of faith, where the patriarchs consistently looked beyond their immediate circumstances to the fulfillment of God's word. Joseph's ready agreement further highlights the biblical value of filial piety and the sacred duty to honor parental wishes, especially those rooted in spiritual conviction. This passage, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of God's promises and the call for believers to live with an eternal perspective, even in the face of death.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's final request in Genesis 47:30 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. His insistence on being buried in the Promised Land, despite his comfortable life in Egypt, serves as a powerful illustration of enduring faith and an eternal perspective. It challenges us to consider where our ultimate allegiance lies – is it with the temporary comforts and securities of this world, or with the enduring promises of God's kingdom? Like Jacob, we are called to live as sojourners, recognizing that our true home and inheritance are not found in earthly possessions or achievements, but in God's eternal plan. This passage encourages us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond the immediate, trusting in God's faithfulness even when His promises seem distant or unfulfilled in our lifetime. Furthermore, Joseph's immediate and respectful agreement to his father's request highlights the timeless value of honoring our parents and faithfully keeping our commitments, particularly those that carry spiritual weight. It reminds us of the importance of passing on a legacy of faith to future generations, living in such a way that our lives point to a hope beyond this world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was burial in Canaan so important to Jacob?
Answer: Burial in Canaan was crucial for Jacob primarily as an act of profound faith in God's covenant promises. The land of Canaan was the Promised Land, given by God to Abraham and his descendants as an eternal inheritance. By desiring to be buried there, Jacob was symbolically claiming his portion of that inheritance and expressing his unwavering belief that God would fulfill His promise to bring his people back to that land. It was a testament to his spiritual identity, his connection to his patriarchal lineage, and his enduring hope in God's faithfulness, even in death. It also distinguished him from the Egyptians, affirming his identity as a sojourner whose true home was with God's covenant people.
What does the phrase "I will lie with my fathers" signify?
Answer: "I will lie with my fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for dying and being gathered to one's ancestors. It signifies a peaceful departure from earthly life and a communal burial with one's deceased family members in their designated resting place. This phrase emphasizes a deep connection to one's lineage, heritage, and the continuity of the family unit, even in death. While it speaks to a physical burial alongside one's kin, in the broader biblical context, it also carries a spiritual dimension, implying a joining of the departed in the realm of the dead, though not necessarily a shared conscious existence in the grave. It is a phrase that highlights the importance of family and ancestral ties in ancient Israelite culture.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's profound longing to be buried in the Promised Land, rather than in the land of Egypt where he found temporary refuge, serves as a powerful type and shadow of the believer's ultimate hope and inheritance found in Jesus Christ. Jacob's desire for a physical resting place in the land of promise points beyond itself to the spiritual rest and eternal home secured for us in Christ. The "better, heavenly country" that Jacob and the other patriarchs implicitly yearned for, as highlighted in Hebrews 11:16, is ultimately realized through Christ's redemptive work. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered death and opened the way to a true and everlasting inheritance for all who believe, as promised in 1 Peter 1:3-4. Our true citizenship is not in any earthly nation, but in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior (Philippians 3:20-21). Just as Jacob's burial in Canaan was an act of faith in a future promise, so too our hope in Christ secures for us a spiritual resurrection and a place in the new heavens and new earth, where we will dwell eternally with God, in a fulfillment far grander than any earthly burying place (Revelation 21:1-4).