Promises Fulfilled through Joseph's Life and Tomb

The Promises Fulfilled through Joseph's Life and Tomb

Joseph's life and legacy are marked by the fulfillment of divine promises, as recorded in the book of Genesis. Before his death, Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here" ^[1]. This statement reflects his faith in God's promise to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

The promise made to Joseph and the Israelites is part of a larger narrative of God's faithfulness to his people. The book of Joshua notes that "not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled" ^[2]. This fulfillment is a testament to God's reliability and faithfulness.

Joseph's statement to his brothers before his death reiterates the promise: "I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob" ^[3]. This promise is rooted in the covenant God made with the patriarchs, emphasizing the continuity of God's plan throughout the generations.

The theme of God's promises is a recurring one in biblical tradition. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights various promises made by God, including those to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the promise of eternal life through Christ ^{[4, 7]}. The fulfillment of these promises is seen as a demonstration of God's faithfulness and reliability.

Joseph's faith in God's promises is commended in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews notes that Joseph's prophecy and command regarding his bones showed faith that God would keep his promises ^[8]. This faith is characteristic of the patriarchs, who "having obtained a good report... received not the promise" in its fullness, awaiting the ultimate fulfillment in Christ ^[10].

The New Testament also highlights the connection between the promises made to the fathers and their fulfillment in Christ. The apostle Paul, in Acts, speaks of being judged for the hope of the promise made to the fathers, which has been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth risen from the dead ^[11].

The fulfillment of God's promises through Joseph's life and tomb serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to his people. As noted in Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's promises are confirmed by an oath and are a source of assurance for believers ^{[4, 5]}. The biblical narrative presents a consistent picture of a God who is committed to fulfilling his promises, providing a foundation for trust and hope.

The historical and theological significance of Joseph's story is reflected in various biblical dictionaries and commentaries. Smith's Bible Dictionary provides an overview of Joseph's life, highlighting his role as a figure of future power and his faithfulness in the face of adversity ^[6]. one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown offers insights into the theological significance of Joseph's story, as well as its connections to the broader biblical narrative ^{[9, 10, 11]}.

Sources

Genesis “Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” -- Genesis 50:25”
Joshua “Joshua 21:45 (BSB) — Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.”
Genesis “Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” -- Genesis 50:24”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joseph — (increase). + The elder of the two sons of Jacob by Rachel. He was born in Padan-aram (Mesopotamia), probably about B.C. 1746. He is first mentioned when a youth, seventeen years old. Joseph brought the evil report of his brethren to his father, and they hated him because his father loved him more than he did them, and had shown his preference by making a dress which appears to have been a long tunic with sleeves, worn by youths and maidens of the richer class. (Genesis 37:2) He dreamed a dream foreshadowing his future power, which increased the hatred of his”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Eternal — Christ is -- 1Jo 1:2; 5:20. Revealed by Christ -- Joh 6:68; 2Ti 1:10. To know God and Christ is -- Joh 17:3. Given By God. -- Ps 133:3; Ro 6:23. By Christ. -- Joh 6:27; 10:28. In Christ. -- 1Jo 5:11. Through Christ. -- Ro 5:21; 6:23. To all given to Christ. -- Joh 17:2. To those who believe in God. -- Joh 5:24. To those who believe in Christ. -- Joh 3:15,16; 6:40,47. To those who hate life for Christ. -- Joh 12:25. In answer to prayer. -- Ps 21:4. Revealed in the Scriptures -- Joh 5:39. Results from Drinking the water of life. -- Joh 4:14. Eating the ”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 11:22: 11:22 Joseph’s prophecy and command (see Gen 50:24-25) showed faith that God would keep his promises.”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 19:30: It is finished! and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost--What is finished? The Law is fulfilled as never before, nor since, in His "obedience unto death, even the death of the cross"; Messianic prophecy is accomplished; Redemption is completed; "He hath finished the transgression, and made reconciliation for iniquity, and brought in everlasting righteousness, and sealed up the vision and prophecy, and anointed a holy of holies"; He has inaugurated the kingdom of God and given birth to a new world.”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:39: having obtained a good report--Greek, "being borne witness of." Though they were so, yet "they received not the promise," that is, the final completion of "salvation" promised at Christ's coming again (Heb 9:28); "the eternal inheritance" (Heb 9:15). Abraham did obtain the very thing promised (Heb 6:15) in part, namely, blessedness in soul after death, by virtue of faith in Christ about to come. The full blessedness of body and soul shall not be till the full number of the elect shall be accomplished, and all together, no one preceding the other, sha”
Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 26:6: I . . . am judged for the hope of the promise made . . . to our fathers--"for believing that the promise of Messiah, the Hope of the Church (Act 13:32; Act 28:20) has been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth risen from the dead."”

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