JOSEPH'S BONES
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The reason for a lesson from the O.T. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11
B. A prophecy was given in Gen. 50:22-26.
1. Joseph's bones lay in Egypt for 300 years; however, the
fulfillment finally came. Ex. 13:19; Joshua 24:32
I. Lessons we can learn regarding Joseph's bones.
A. Mortality - Every one of us must die.
1. God had originally intended that man eat of the tree of life
and live forever. Gen. 3:22-24; Gen. 2:17; 3:19
2. There are only two exceptions where men escaped death.
Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11
3. The passing of time lulls us into a false security, like the
rich man - Luke 12:19-21.
4. However, Joseph said, "I die...and he died, being 110 years
old."
a. In his death there was a lesson for Israel and for us.
Eccl. 7:2; Psalm 90:12
B. No man is indispensable to God's plan.
1. Joseph had held the highest position in government, and he
was an important tool in God's hand for carrying out the
history of Israel.
a. However, he was not indispensable in God's plans. His
did not alter God's course for His people.
2. Others have been equally prominent, but none indispensable.
a. Moses died and Joshua took over.
b. King David died and Solomon reigned in his place.
c. There is room for everyone in God's kingdom, and a
work for everyone to do.
(1) However, no one is indispensable in God's plan.
His purposes are not dependent upon anyone.
(2) The Jews thought they were extremely important in
God's scheme of things. However, Matt. 3:7-10.
3. We, too, need to be reminded of our rightful place. Eccl.
5:2-3; Rom. 9:20-24
a. Our lot here is to serve God acceptably. Eccl. 12:13
C. Hope of deliverance. Gen. 50:24
1. After the death of Joseph, there arose a new king over Egypt
who did not know Joseph, and because he feared the
strength of Israel, he enslaved God's people. Ex. 1:7-14;
2:23
2. Joseph's bones lying in a tomb in Egypt, kept reminding
them that God had promised to deliver them. It gave hope.
D. God will do what He says He will do. Gen. 50:24-25
1. God's promise was fulfilled. God said He would deliver His
people out of bondage, and He did.
2. God also said He would remove Joseph's bones out of
Egypt, and He did.
3. The promise to re-bury Joseph might seem like an
insignificant thing, but nothing which God says will fail.
He always delivers.
a. Not one jot or tittle, even the smallest of matters,
shall fail. God will do exactly what He says He will do.
2 Pet. 3:7,9
4. Others who were assured of the faithfulness of God.
a. Sarah - Heb. 11:11.
b. Abraham - Rom. 4:19-21
II. Parallel Lessons from Jesus' grave. The Bible tells of another
man who died and was buried in a borrowed tomb. He did not lay in
the tomb 300 years, only 3 days and 3 nights. His death, burial,
and resurrection teach the greatest lessons of all.
A. Immortality - All men shall live.
1. Just as the death of Joseph and his tomb taught that all men
must die, the empty tomb of Jesus proclaims that all men
shall live. John 11:11, 25-26,43-44; 1 Cor. 15:22; John
5:28-29
2. Jesus Christ brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel. 2 Tim. 1:10
a. Through Jesus Christ, man forever has the answer to the
question, "If a man die, shall he live again"? Job 14:14
B. There is one man who is indispensable in God's plan - Jesus
Christ.
1. Our salvation is totally dependent upon this one man. Heb.
10:11-14; John 14:6
2. The death of Joseph reveals that salvation wasn't dependent
on him, but the death of Jesus reveals that salvation is
totally dependent on him. Acts 4:12
C. Christ's death and resurrection are the basis for our hope.
1. Joseph's burial in an Egyptian tomb and the prophecy given
concerning it, were the basis of Israel's hope of
deliverance.
2. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are the bases
of our hope. Rom. 6:5
a. 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14; Rom. 8:11
b. Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18
D. His death and resurrection teach us that God will do all He
says He will do.
1. Luke 24:44 - All the things written about Him in the law,
prophets, and the Psalms were fulfilled.
2. Acts 13:27-30 - He fulfilled all that was written concerning
Him.
3. Therefore, God will do all that He says regarding us.
a. Col. 2:12; 1;13
b. John 15:6; Matt. 10:22
c. 2 Thess. 1:7-9: 2 Cor. 5:10
d. Matt. 25:31-34,41,46; Rev. 22:12-14
Concl.
A. Heb. 11:22
1. Some verses may, on the surface, seem insignificant.
2. However, in view of the things we have studied in this
lesson, certainly the statements in Heb. 11:22 are not
insignificant.