Genesis 50: Embodying the light

The end of the beginning

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Aside from all the elaborate mourning of Jacob, there is a “happily ever after” feel to the end of Genesis.

Perhaps the meaning of returning Jacob’s body to Canaan, to be buried with his fathers, is symbolic of a return to the very source, to God, after the breath of life moves on from the physical, earthly body.

It also seems that, although the brothers seemed to have been forgiven by Joseph a few chapters ago, they still bear the guilt. This might be relatable to people, they get along with each other for the sake of an aged parent, but after the parents death the recriminations begin. But that wasn’t in Joseph’s consciousness.

The final episode in this wild book called Genesis is about forgiveness, a full restoration of a relationship.

Joseph’s forebears, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, sought after the God within but often succumbed to fear and had trouble sorting out family problems, and Jacob wouldn’t forgive Reuben, Simeon, or Levi.