And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
Genesis 50:24
The everlasting God has everlasting purposes for us. Joseph’s story is greatly encouraging. Even after being sold into slavery, spending years in an Egyptian prison, and eventually rising to great authority and power, Joseph remained faithful, believing God’s promises for him and for the rest of the Children of Israel.
Joseph experienced rejection, humiliation, betrayal and false accusations. However, he knew God would do what He said. His older brothers sell Joseph to slavery, but God uses it for Joseph’s good! At the end of his life his dreams come true. Nobody can thwart God’s plans for man. They are good and God is worthy of trust and honor!
Before Joseph dies, he reassures his brothers about God’s plans for them. Joseph knows that Egypt is not the homeland for the Jews. He knows about God’s covenant with his forefathers. His declaration, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you” shows a profound faith in God’s promises for his family. Joseph dies in faith, hopeful of God’s visitation.
Near the end of his life, Joseph asks for his bones to be carried into the Promised Land when God visits the Jews in Egypt (Genesis 50:25). This resulted in the Jews carrying Joseph’s bones for 40 years, serving as a reminder of God’s promises for them. Even after Joseph dies, his dead bones speak of his faith in God.
Joseph knew about God’s visitation. He longed for it when he was in the pit where his brothers threw him, when he was in prison, and even when he was about to die. He knew that there was a shift coming, God’s deliverance for the Jews.
You may feel the Lord has forgotten about you. You may feel alone and rejected. Let me tell you the truth about our God – He never, never forgets His children. God will surely visit you!
Editor’s note: This article is a section from Andrey’s book Come With Me Into His Presence.