Scripture: Genesis 48
Background:
With this outline we conclude a brief series on the Christian home.
That we end with a consideration of that which breaks up the marriage-and family-relation as we experience it in this life should at once seem appropriate. After all, sooner or 1ater everyone of us must face the reality of death.
This may seem like ending on a somber note. And from one point of view death is. to be sure, somber. It is called by the Bible “the last enemy.” Against it all mankind has been helpless. None of the marvelous advances in medical science, to speak of no more than this, has been able to do more than push death back for a few years. Nor does the universality of death in any way lessen the pain and perplexity of those called to face its reality when tender family ties are so irrevocably sundered.
Yet to say no more is to speak of death in an unbiblical, non-Christian fashion. For God has brought life and immortality to light in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is this gift which transforms death for those who believe. The light of the opened grave of our Savior sheds its grace and glory on every step which we take on our earthly pilgrimage. We are not stopped in a cul-de-sac. We travel onward and upward, until at the last by God’s grace we enter our real home.
All this challenges us to get ready for this home. Here we have a calling both to self and to our children. Always in our home life we should point beyond this home to the real home for which we are destined. And to talk about it in faith ought to be a joy for us. Do you think we can talk about death too much? about heaven too much? Is there much danger of this in our day? How can we be sure that we are going to heaven?
Outline:
Death is spoken of with almost monotonous regularity in the Scriptures. This need not surprise us, since then as weIl as now men diedl
Dead-bed scenes, however, are few and far between. Why do you suppose so little is said about this? Aren’t these important?
For a short time we will concentrate on part of the story of Jacob’s death-bed. It is related in both Genesis 48 and 49. Although this patriarch missed the clear comfort which is ours in the New Testament, his experiences can provide us with much-needed lessons. Let us remember that he could speak as he did on his death-bed, because he had learned to live by grace in the reality of his God. How much do you think he knew about the life to come? How much more do we know now? Notice also how comparatively little Jacob says about his condition on the death-bed, and yet how rich his testimony was.
1. His remembrance of past blessings
Sketch in brief the life and experiences of Jacob. In which respects was he a true “hero” of faith? Does this mean that his sins weren’t serious? What were a few of his basic character sins? How had he by God’s grace begun to overcome them?
The story here recorded is a beautiful one. Joseph as the busy governor of Egypt takes time out to hurry to his father’s bed-side. He also takes with him his two sons. Do you think it is proper for us to prepare our children for the death of our loved ones? If so, how should this be done? Notice how this gave strength to Jacob when he heard that Joseph was coming. Why do you suppose that the two lads were taken along?
Jacob at once rehearses the wondrous grace of God. Take note of what he tells his son. Why were the promises of God so important to him? Do you think we pay more attention to God’s gifts than to his promises? Note how Jacob acknowledges Joseph’s two sons (born of an Egyptian wife) as his own and therefore as heirs of the promise.
How can we tell whether “God Almighty appeared unto” us? In what way does God come to us now? Do we tend to take this entirely for granted? Do you think we talk more about how we feel and what we plan to do than about what God has done for us and has promised to do in the future? How can this best be corrected? Why is this a worthy subject for witnessing on our death-beds? Would you like to be conscious at the time when death comes for you?
2. His recognition of present responsibilities
Here the emphasis falls first of all on Jacob’s strong insistence on the unity of his family as belonging to God. Since Joseph ranked high at the Egyptian court, there were dangers for him and his children. Which were these? How do covenant families tend to drift apart in our day? Why is unity in the family so important for spiritual growth?
Notice how he “adopts” Joseph’s children as his own. This is a privilege for such children. What was this? Show how Jacob considered getting back to Canaan as more necessary and precious than all the privileged position and wealth which these boys could have attained in Egypt. Why do you think so many parents seem to care little whether their children and grandchildren remain with the Christian Reformed Church? Is this a basic matter or not?
He also attests to the duty which rests upon Joseph, his two sons and their descendants. Note verse 15. What does this mean? How could this duty he carried out? Do you think it is important to tell your children about their grandparents and great·grandparents? Why do you suppose we have so little interest in family history? Is this of any significance? If so, of what?
The keynote of his message is found in vs. 16a: “The angel who hath redeemed me from all evil.” Who was this “angel”? Was this a bit of superstition on Jacob’s part? How is this related to the promised Messiah? In what sense was Jacob “redeemed” from all evil? Show how faith in God also “redeems” us from all evil in this present life with its trials and tribulations. Does this mean that Jacob had an easy life?
3. His rejoicing in future favors
Jacob doesn’t say much about himself and his hope of heaven. This follows from the fact that the full revelation was not yet given. Can you give reasons why it was not then provided? Does this mean that Jacob had no hope concerning his life after death? How much do you think he knew?
He speaks a great deal about the future of his descendants. He reminds his family of God’s rich promises—God’s continued blessing upon them, their future in Canaan and their growth into a company of nations. What concerns Jacob is establishment of God’s glory in the earth. To this end God is pleased to use his people. In this way of fai.th and obedience will they flourish. How concerned do you think we are today that our generations shall walk in the Lord’s ways? How should we show this concern? Are there evidences in the New Testament that the saints in glory arc interested in the history of the covenant people and the church on earth? Is there any relation between our personal and family history on earth and our future glory in the new heavens and the new earth (our eternal home)?
PETER. Y. DE JONG