Where Will You Leave Your Bones? | Genesis 50:1–26

In Genesis 50, we see the final chapter of two lives—Jacob and Joseph—but not the end of their story. When Jacob dies in Egypt, Joseph honors his father’s dying wish: to be buried in the land of Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah, alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Leah. This act of faith signals something profound—Jacob didn’t want his bones to remain in Egypt, the land of temporary provision. He wanted to rest in the land God had promised—a land tied to covenant, kingdom, and resurrection hope. Later in the chapter, Joseph makes a similar request: “God will surely come to your aid, and you must carry my bones up from this place” (Genesis 50:25). Though he had power and position in Egypt, Joseph didn’t see Egypt as home. He believed God’s promises and looked forward to a greater inheritance. This isn’t just about geography. It’s a prophetic declaration: the people of God were never meant to settle for Egypt—a symbol of the world and temporary comfort. The patriarchs were looking forward to a better country (Hebrews 11:13–16), and their burial decisions reflected that hope. The Cave of Machpelah in Canaan served as a signpost of faith: It was the first piece of the promised land legally owned by Abraham. It symbolized a physical, future resurrection in the land God promised. It was a down payment on the coming Kingdom of God.

The question we must ask today is this: Where are you putting your “bones”? Are you investing your life in Egypt—the temporary pleasures and securities of this world—or in the unshakable promises of God’s Kingdom? Just like Joseph, we may live in Egypt now—but our hearts, our hope, and even our legacy should be rooted in the land of promise.