Genesis 48:21
‘And Israel (or Jacob) said to Joseph: “Behold, I die! But God shall be with you, and bring you back again to the land of your fathers!”‘ Genesis 48:21.
Calvin commented: “‘And Israel said to Joseph: “Behold, I die!”‘ Jacob repeated what he had said. And truly, all his sons — and especially Joseph and his sons — required something more than one simple confirmation. In order that they might not fix their abode in Egypt — but might dwell, in their minds, in the land of Canaan.
“He mentions his own death, for the purpose of teaching them that the eternal truth of God by no means depended on the life of men. As if he had said: ‘My life, seeing it is short and fading, passes away. But the promise of God, which has no limit, will flourish also when I am dead!’
“No vision had appeared to his sons…. God had ordained the holy old man as the intermediate sponsor of his covenant. He therefore sedulously fulfils the office enjoined upon him, taking timely precaution that their faith should not be shaken by his death.
“So, when the Lord delivers His Word to the world by mortal men…, they die — having finished their course of life according to the flesh. Yet the voice of God is not extinguished with them, but quickens us even at the present day.
“Therefore Peter writes that he will endeavour, that after his decease — the Church may be mindful of the doctrine committed unto him. Second Peter 1:15
“(‘But God shall be with you, and bring you back again) to the land of your fathers!’ It is not without reason that he (Jacob) claims for himself and his fathers, the dominion over that land in which they had always wandered…. He excites his sons to a good hope, and pronounces with a courageous spirit that land to be his own — in which at length he scarcely obtained a sepulchre!…
“Whence then was this great confidence? Except that he would accustom his sons by his example to have faith in the Word of God!
“Now this doctrine is also common to us. Because we never rely with sufficient firmness on the Word of God, so long as we are led by our own feelings.
“Nay, until our faith rises to lay hold on those things which are removed afar off! We do not know what it is, to set our seal to the Word of God!”
But the dying Jacob knew two things for sure. First, “Behold I die!” He knew his own life was fast coming to a close. But he also knew it would thereafter immediately continue for ever in the presence of God. And second, he also knew his sons must live. Both here and now on Earth, and thereafter with God and with Jacob in glory!
