Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
As we reach the end of the lives of the Patriarchs, we first say goodbye to Jacob:
Genesis 49:29-33 Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah— the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.” When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
Just when we think all the loose ends have been tied up, we find the brothers are still worried about what sort of man Joseph truly is. They fear he has been pretending to be a righteous man all these years and that now that their father is gone, he will show his true and ugly colors.
Read Genesis 50:
Joseph was truly a godly man and his brothers’ fear grieved him greatly. But he spoke to them “gently” and reassured them he harbored no ill-will, that his faith was in God who made everything work out as it should, no matter the motivations his brothers had had all those years ago.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
The last memory verse for this month of workouts is a strong one to help you through the toughest of times. Joseph must have thought this thought many times through his ordeal. Memorize it and let this come to you as you face your own ordeals.
Genesis 50:19-20 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
As we say goodbye to Joseph, we learn in other parts of the Bible that his descendants were faithful to take him home to Canaan. We see Moses remembered and Joshua brought the promise to its conclusion.
Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
Exodus 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”
Joshua 24:32 And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants.
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” This is a worthy goal to run toward. And Joseph is a worthy role model toward that end. He was a godly man who resisted temptation, who worked hard even when it didn’t pay off, who gave God the credit for his success and abilities, who loved his brothers even after they had sold him into a life of servitude.
Father, as we conclude the study of Genesis, please keep before us the example of Joseph, who lived a godly life in the middle of a godless society. Father, help us to be ready for the end of our lives and the lives of those dear to us. Help us clear the air and restore relationships. Help us to put our trust in You above all. Others will let us down and fail us, but You will not. You have said that nothing can separate us from Your love. Because You love us without ceasing, help us to extend that love to others. Because You have forgiven us, help us to forgive others. Because You have set us apart, as You set apart Abraham and his family, help us to live lives worthy of Your Name. Help us to be godly people who do what is right and flee evil, who trust that You will bring even the most horrible events and betrayals into good.
Part 4 – Endurance Training
Now that you’ve finished this month of studies in Genesis, make a plan for the next month. Find a way to keep studying the Bible, to keep memorizing God’s word and “hiding it in your heart” so that the Holy Spirit can use them to encourage you and remind you how a we should live as people set apart for Jesus.
God bless you. May He give you wisdom and courage to face the days ahead even as he did for Noah, for Abraham, for Isaac, for Jacob, and for Joseph.
An Extra Lap
Review all the verses you’ve learned this month and set up a plan for how you can review them and keep them in your memory as you go from here.
Faith Gym 