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This is the final study in our series of studies on this most remarkable man. What an inspiration and challenge Joseph is to each one of us, in all areas of our Christian life and service for the Lord.

In this study we give our attention to the closing phases of Joseph's life and service. To the very end he can be correctly described as: "The man in whom the Spirit of God is."

A great man! For only one reason. He was fully surrendered to the Lord. The Lord was able to freely mould and develop his character according to His will and purpose. Therefore his life became a most vital instrument in the hands of the Lord to accomplish the will of the Lord. In everything which the Lord was able to do, He had the complete cooperation of Joseph.

Joseph faithfully lived out the constant personal desire: to honor the Lord. In all things. At all times. He always did so regardless of the cost to himself.

The Lord made him a great leader. It was because of all that the Lord had done that Joseph was a very reliable asset to Pharaoh. A most highly respected advisor. A totally dependable steward.

Joseph humbly walked with the Lord. He listened intently to the Word of the Lord. He gave complete obedience to all that God required of him.

Over and over again we have seen that all this was continually true of Him. It was true of him to the very end. We see it quite evident even in the very face of death. The death of his father Jacob. And, his own death.

Seventeen years had passed since Jacob moved to Egypt. The famine which had compelled that move was long gone. At that time it was only a distant memory.

Jacob was now one hundred forty seven years old. He knew that his end was near.

"Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers" (48: 21). Joseph fully believed that encouraging word of assurance.

Then Jacob called all of his sons to him. He blessed them each in turn. Yet even in the blessing of his sons he could not set aside his long held animosity, especially to Reuben. That fact adds a tragic note to the close of Jacob's life.

"And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite . . . for a burying place."

Abraham had bought that field when Sarah had died. In a sense it was the only property which Abraham could actually have claimed to have “owned” in Caanan. Everything else had remained "the land of promise" for him and for his descendents.

Not only was Sarah buried in that field. But so was Abraham himself. So were Isaac and Rebeccah. Along with one of Jacob's own wives: Leah.

That was: “The Land of Promise.” Not: Egypt. Egypt was the land of exile. Jacob wanted to be buried back in Caanan. In that cave which had become so very significant to all who claimed by faith the promise of the Lord.

The emphasis of this charge of Jacob to his sons was: faith. Faith in God. Faith in His promise. Trust in His faithfulness. Continuing hope. Genuine expectation of the fulfilment of the Covenant Promises.

The covenant would stand. The promises of the covenant would never fail. Even though they, as a people, were no longer in the land of promise. That was the message given by Jacob as he faced death at his advanced age.

"God is faithful!" The passing of the years does not change that glorious and eternal reality. Seeming delay does not modify it in any way. Faith continues to hold to the faithfulness of God. Confident that He will not fail. He will not deny Himself.

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (verse 13).

The death of his father deeply grieved Joseph. He "fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him."

For all those long dark years he had been separated from his father. It was about: fifteen years in all. Fifteen years between the time Jacob sent Joseph to find his brothers until they were united again in Egypt.

Seventeen years had past since they were united gain. The Scriptures are silent as to what transpired during those years. It would be unwise for us to speculate.

We do know that the first five years, were years of famine. Years during which Joseph's responsibilities would keep him very busy. Beyond that we really do not know any details of their lives.

There is no doubt that Joseph and Jacob reestablished a very close personal relationship. This would have been strengthened with the passing of the years. Strengthened and deepened. This would be inevitable when we consider the results of their sufferings while they were separated.

Joseph's brothers were not close to their father. Certainly not as close as Joseph was. Towards the end of Jacob's life there may have been some improvement. The animosity and resentment they felt to him may have diminished.

Again, we really do not know for sure. All we do know is that early in their lives their attitudes were very negative. They had shown very little love and very little respect for Jacob.

This is not meant to suggest that they did not grieve at their father's death. They probably did. Though Joseph's grief would be much greater than theirs.

This situation challenges us in the area of relationships. Our personal relationships. How strong, how real, is our commitment? The depth of the relationship inevitably grows from the strength of the commitment.

It is particularly true of our relationship to the Lord. He is totally committed to a strong relationship with us. But are we committed to a strong and growing personal relationship with Him?

Our commitment will result in either a genuinely strong relationship with Him. Or, it will result in a weak, superficial relationship. The kind of relationship that is going nowhere, and consequently, is virtually non-existent.

Are we fully committed to love the Lord with all that we are? Or content with something less?

His father had made a specific request concerning his burial. He wanted his body to be taken back to the promised land and buried in the cave where Abrham and Sarah were buried, along with Isaac, Rebecah, and Leah. Joseph immediately moved to honor that request.

"And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel."

Joseph still held a position of considerable power and authority in Egypt, he was still very higly respected. Notice that these men are described as, "his servants the physicians!" They acted on his orders.

A special time of mourning was set aside in Egypt to honor the death of Jacob. This was because of the respect they had for Joseph.

As that period of mourning closed, Joseph proceeded with the funeral arrangements. Permission was granted to him by Pharaoh to go and bury his father in Caanan, which was according to Jacob's request.

Joseph and his family were not alone on this sad journey. "With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt."

At Atad they paused for seven days. There they observed a traditional period of deep mourning. At the close of that period of special mounring they proceeded to the field of Machpelah. To the cave in that field which had become of such great significance to Abraham and his descendents. There they buried Jacob. His final request was fully lonored.

Contrasting mental attitudes had marked that journey to bury Jacob. Joseph was preoccupied with grief. But not his brothers. There thoughts were on other things.

"When Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him."

Their thoughts were harassed by mounting and disturbing apprehension. Joseph had been so very gracious toward them up until this time. But: what if it was only an act? What if he was still holding a strong personal grudge against them? What if he took the fact of their father's death as a suitable opportunity to settles some scores?

They had ccompletely convinced themselves that they really did have a major problem. While Jacob was alive Joseph would be reluctant to take any action against them. But now Jacob was dead, Joseph could act. Surely he would take action against them, and no one would intervene on their behalf!

Their minds were in a turmoil. They had given free rein to all of the negative possibilities which their imaginations could invent. And, in times of stress and uncertainty, the human imagination can come up with the most threatening scenarios.

Not only that, but they were judging Joseph's character by their own. They were estimating how he would react on the basis of their own twisted thinking and self-centered, self-serving motives. They were fully convinced that they were totally right, when, in fact, they were completely wrong! They were so incredibly wide of the mark.

It would be so easy to fault them for such an erronious estimate of Joseph's character, were it not for the fact that their thinking reflects so accurately the most common attitude of the vast majority of people, even today. Fallen human nature almost always uses self as the basic measure to estimate some one else's potential response.

In their minds there was also the constant nagging reminder: Joseph still wielded such immense power and authority in Egypt. By contrast, they themselves had no power or authority, which increasingly accentuated their feelings of vulnerability.

To this point they had, more or less, attempted to hide behind their father, depending of his presence and influence to protect them from Joseph's awesome power. But Jacob was gone. Joseph could do as he pleased!

They fully expected him to act. To grasp this opportunity to retaliate. To use his position to make them suffer. To exercise his power and authority and sell them as slaves. Or order their execution.

They were paranoid! The explanation for this is not difficult to discover. It was: Guilt! They were hounded by their own guilty fears, which made them ready victims of their own warped imaginations.

What if? Could it possibly be true that they were so blind? After all these years they still could not see what kind of person Joseph was? Could this really be true?

Could they possibly remain so oblivious to the most compelling evidence of his genuine personal walk with the Lord? Did they continue to remain blind to the fact that Joseph was the man in whom the Spirit of the Lord was?

All the irrefutable evidence was there for them to see! Why did they refuse to believe it?

Yet there are so many people who are just like Joseph's brothers. People who are hounded by guilt. Blinded by the irrational fear which their guilt inevitably introduces.

Even as there are so many people who think that everyone else is just as twisted as they are. Twisted by ugly fact of self-preservation. Selfcenteredness. As well as all of the other distortions which self is so expert at inventing.

Distorted by selfjustification. Selfassertion. If we have eyes to see, and minds which really understand, we would see the evidence of these very attitudes everywhere.

To live in that condition is to live a miserable life. Miserable, in the misery which is selfinflicted. It is so unnecessary. So very foolish.

All those long years earlier Joseph had responded to those very fears. At the time when they still were convinced that he was dead, and he so dramatically revealed the truth to them, he told them: “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life"(45: 5).

He repeated, "God sent me!" He added, "It was not you who sent me hither, but God.'' And, "God hath made me lord of all Egypt" (Verses 7, 8, 9).

"God!" They were still leaving God totally out of their thinking. Out of all their calculations. God and His Will, His involvement!

They were refusing to accept that Joseph meant what he said. Especially what he said about God and His sovereign activity. Or that he personally had a close walk with the Lord. Or that anyone would say, seriously, "God" did it! God was still being totally excluded from their considerations.

That is still such a common mistake today. A tragic mistake. Leaving God out of our thinking. Neglecting to make His involvement part of our calculations. How tragic it is that it happens so very often.

The compulsion: of their fear induced them to resort to lies and deception.

They obvious felt that it was such a serious situation that they must invent some device by which to save their necks.

"They sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren."

If Jacob had considered such a request necessary, he himself would have made it unmistakably clear, to Joseph! Yet the brothers apparently felt that Joseph would not see through their foolish, and unnecessary, device. That he would be influenced by what his father said. Or, what he was supposed to have said according to their report.

Joseph identified their words accurately. He knew it was a lie. A lie which clearly demonstrated their twisted, fearful minds. Even as he would have no difficulty identifying that their problem was their lack of trust in him.

Then they attempted another similar device. "And now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father."

"The servants of the God of thy father"' That is like saying, Surely you can forgive us, seeing that we are so "spiritual!" “We are the servants of the God of thy father!”

The sad truth is that they were rendered blind by the lack of true spirituality. They were deceived by their immaturity. Deluded by their carnality.

They were already forgiven! Joseph had completely forgiven them many years before!

They had a very serious problem. They could not accept his forgiveness. They would not. They refused to believe that Joseph was really serious.

Because of this attitude they willfully deprived themselves of the fullness of grace. They did it! To themselves!

There are vast multitudes of people who are just like that. People who will not bring themselves to accept the Lord's forgiveness. Surely there is no way that He could possibly forgive them. He would not forgive them. Not them!

Their lives are sadly distorted as the result! Twisted! Immature! Carnal. Deprived of grace! Devoid of all of the blessings of grace! They go on whimpering "prayers" which continued to pathetically plead for God to give to them all that he has already given.

Wept, that they should feel compelled to go on pleading for forgiveness. Wept, that they should feel that is was necessary to lie to him to try to win his forgiveness. Wept, that they were willing to resort to such unholy devices to try to convince him, to compel him to have mercy on them.

Joseph wept over their unwillingness to receive what he had already given.

Wept over their blindness. Their hardness. Their immaturity. Their carnality.

Even so the Lord Jesus weeps today. Over us. Over our slowness to believe. To receive. To trust His forgiveness.

He weeps over the foolish devices we resort to using in our foolish attempts to manipulte Him. Over our hardness. Our immaturity. Our worldliness. And so much more.

Joseph took them to the truth. The truth which he had stated to them those long years earlier.

"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.''

Joseph assures them. I know who I am. And I know who God is! I know what God has done. I am not God. I will not presume to usurp God's position or power. I will let God be GOD!

We would be saved from so much heartache if only we would learn that lesson. Know God! Recognize what He has done. Know that it is all His power. Acknowledge His position. Let God be GOD!

Because he humbly walked with God Joseph was spiritually aware! He knew what God was doing. He could see the evidences of His presence. His involvement. His activity.

He knew that God had a plan. A wise plan. A perfect plan. He knew that God was working His plan out.

Spiritual maturity sees. Knows. Lives and acts accordingly. In faith. To always honor God. To let God be GOD

"Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."

That is the exact opposite to what they had expected. It was in complete contrast to all that they had so fearfully anticipated. They had expected the worst. Prepared for the worst. They believed that Joseph would act negatively in every respect. But this was all so completely positive!

They were getting a most vital lesson. If only they would apply themselves to it. Learn it and live by it. This is the way God acts! This is the way GOD responds.

Joseph was revealing to them the amazing measure of God's complete commitment. That it was totally for their benefit and blessing.

The Lord would have us really learn that same lesson. Have we? Are we learning it?

When we really do learn that lesson, what an exciting difference it will make. To us. To our lives. To our service. But most important of all: To our walk with the Lord. Our fellowship with Him. Our service for Him.

Thankfully we will then be ready to let God be GOD! In all things. At all times. Without any reservations.

Joseph continued to live in Egypt. We know little of what happened throughout those following years. We know so little of the continuing circumstances of his life.

"And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years."

For the first thirteen years of his time in Egypt he had been a slave. Most of that time he had been in prison. For the next fourteen years he was chief minister of Pharaoh. His main responsibility was, first, to prepare for the famine. Then to bring Egypt safely through the famine.

The famine ended when Joseph was about forty four years old. Which means that he lived on in Egypt for a further sixty six years.

It is clear that Joseph continued to wield great power and authority. He was a man of considerable influence. Even as he was highly respected. Even so, we know nothing of his specific duties during those years following the end of the famine.

It is quite obvious that he continued to be a man of true faith. He walked with the Lord. The Spirit of God continued to fill him. He was ever a man of genuine integrity, both before man and before God.

The only changes which the passing years brought to his character were positive. That is ever the way it is with such a man. There is continuing spiritual growth. Greater maturity. An ever growing awareness of the personal presence of the Lord.

He saw his descendents for a number of generations. "And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees."

What a contrast this is to the early years of his life. Those early years had been marked by his tragic and long severance from his family.

The closing years of his life were marked by a close family life. That certainly was a blessing from the Lord to His servant. We can be sure that Joseph greatly appreciated it.

Because we know the character of this man we know that the years remaining were years in which his responsibilities were continually carried so faithfully.

Sadly, not all who start out so well, finish well. For a variety of reason the early spiritual vitality is allowed to wane. The fire goes out. The life of love for the Lord and thus the spiritual vitality are lost.

It does not have to be that way. If the spirituality wanes, it is because we permit it to do so. If the fire goes out, it is our carelessness, or our prayerlessness, or both, which have let it go out!

The Lord does not want that to happen. His total resources ever remain fully available to everyone of His people. He is totally committed to see us through right to the end. Until, at last, we see Him, and hear Him say, “Well done!”

Let us take God at His Word. Continue to live in the glorious fullness of His presence and His promises. Even to that last, final, triumphant moment!

"Joseph said unto his brethren, I die!" He knew that that moment had come for him. He had reached it triumphantly. With genuine and confident faith. Victoriously. He had no reason for any regrets!

He was certainly not looking back. He had his eyes confidently on the future. The glorious future.

"AND GOD!!" God was always the ONE Who mattered. The only ONE Who mattered. Joseph had always been aware of that truth. For every single step of his long pilgrimage it had been: "AND GOD!'

It is still always, "AND GOD!' For us today. Believe it! Live by that truth!

"And God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."

God is not through, yet! This situation is only transitional. Temporary! The fullness of God's promise is absolutely guaranteed. "GOD WILL!"

GOD WILL always complete what He has begun. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."(Philippians 1: 6). He will bring His work in you to glorious completion. Work with Him. Let Him have His way. He will do it!

"And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.”

Joseph was expressing his faith in the faithfulness of God. He fully anticipated that in God's time his bones would be buried in the land of promise. He was unshakably sureof GOD!

Joseph was seeking to encourage his family. To inspire and strengthen their faith. To assure them that they too had every reason to believe in God. To trust His promise. To live by His Word.

So do we today have every reason to believe in God. To be fully confident in His gracious promises. To thankfully rejoice in our inspiring awareness of His assurance. Our Lord never fails. He never fails us. He never will fail us.

Joseph died. According to his charge, they embalmed him. They did not bury him. Thus a most remarkable life comes to a close.

"These all died in faith . . . Now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city!" (Hebrews 11: 13,16).

God is not ashamed of Joseph. God is not ashamed to be called the God of Joseph. What a glorious commendation.

As we study the life of Joseph, the Lord challenges us. He inspires us. He reminds us of a most vital truth.

All that God accomplished in Joseph, He seeks to accomplish in us today. "We are His workmanship"(Ephesians 2: 10).

He is creating: Men and women in whom the Spirit of the Lord lives! People who are recreated according to the will of God. So that, in His will they will be greatly used to bring blessing to others!