Read the Daily Bible Verse – Genesis 47:31 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Genesis 47:31 is a powerful verse in which Jacob, now an old man, makes a final request regarding his burial. This verse highlights themes of faith, legacy, and God‘s promises. While it is often read simply as a deathbed wish, there is much to learn from Jacob’s words that apply to the Christian life today.
The Context on Genesis 47:31 KJV
Genesis 47:31 in the King James Version reads:
“And he said, Swear unto me: and he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.”
This verse comes near the end of the life of Jacob (who is also called Israel), the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob has had an extraordinary life filled with trials, triumphs, and moments of personal transformation. After a long and difficult journey, he has reunited with his son Joseph, who holds an influential position in Egypt. During their reunion, Jacob, now an old man, expresses his desire to be buried in the land of Canaan, not in Egypt, signifying his faith in God’s covenant promises.
The context of this verse is important: Jacob is nearing his death and wishes to ensure that his body is taken back to the promised land of Canaan, the land of his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Jacob’s request is more than a practical concern about burial—it is a declaration of faith in God’s promises.
The Meaning of Genesis 47:31
Genesis 47:31 takes place after Jacob has told Joseph his wish to be buried in Canaan. Joseph, in turn, swears to honor his father’s request. Jacob’s reaction, “Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head,” signifies not just a moment of physical weakness but also a moment of deep faith and worship.
“Swear unto me”
Jacob asks Joseph to swear an oath to fulfill his burial request. The act of swearing an oath emphasizes the seriousness and binding nature of the promise. In ancient cultures, oaths were a solemn and sacred act, binding the one who swore to carry out their promise. Jacob, knowing that his life is coming to an end, wants assurance that his son will keep his word.
“And he sware unto him”
Joseph’s response to Jacob’s request is immediate compliance. Joseph swears to do as his father asks, thereby solidifying the trust between them. This act of swearing to fulfill Jacob’s burial wish also serves as a reaffirmation of Joseph’s love and respect for his father, as well as his obedience to God’s will.
“And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head”
Jacob’s act of bowing upon the bed’s head represents his worship of God. This gesture of worship, even in his weakened state, reveals the depth of Jacob’s faith. He understands that his life and the future of his descendants are in God’s hands, and this final act of bowing expresses his trust and reverence for God’s eternal promises.
Genesis 47:31 Application in Life
Genesis 47:31 speaks to modern Christians in several ways. While Jacob’s request pertains to his burial, the lessons in faith, obedience, legacy, and God’s promises are timeless and relevant to all believers.
Faith in God’s Promises
Jacob’s request to be buried in Canaan reflects his unwavering faith in God’s covenant. Despite the fact that he is dying in Egypt, a foreign land, he believes that God’s promises will come to fruition. For modern Christians, this serves as a reminder that our faith should be rooted in the promises of God, which are sure and eternal, even when our circumstances may not reflect them.
When life’s trials or the current state of the world feel overwhelming, we must hold fast to God’s promises, just as Jacob did. Jacob’s faith was not shaken by his temporary circumstances in Egypt, and neither should our faith be shaken by the world around us.
Obedience to God’s Will
Jacob’s request to Joseph is also an example of his obedience to God’s will. Although Jacob’s final moments were marked by frailty, his obedience remained strong. He followed God’s leading in all things, even in how he wanted to be buried. His request to Joseph was not simply a wish; it was a fulfillment of God’s will for his life, reflecting his submission to the sovereignty of God.
Believers today should examine their lives and ask whether they are fully obedient to God’s will. Obedience to God often involves the most intimate aspects of our lives, as Jacob’s obedience to God’s covenant with his forefathers involved the way he wished to be buried.
Legacy and Passing on Faith
Jacob’s final request also underscores the importance of legacy. By ensuring his burial would take place in the promised land, Jacob was ensuring that the story of God’s covenant would continue in the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants. He knew that his burial would serve as a physical reminder of God’s promises to future generations.
For modern Christians, this highlights the importance of leaving a godly legacy for the next generation. We must pass down our faith, our values, and our trust in God’s promises to those who come after us. Our actions, words, and decisions have the potential to impact future generations for Christ.
Worship and Reverence in Our Final Days
Jacob’s act of bowing upon his bed’s head is a powerful example of worship and reverence to God in his final moments. It speaks to the importance of remaining devoted to God even as life draws to a close. No matter how frail or weak we become, our faith and reverence for God should remain strong.
This application in life encourages believers to live each day with a deep sense of worship. It is not only in times of prosperity that we should acknowledge God but also in moments of trial, aging, and death. Jacob’s example challenges us to keep God at the forefront of our hearts and minds, even as we approach our final days.
Comparison with Other Biblical Texts
Genesis 50:24-25 – Joseph’s Request for Burial
In Genesis 50, Joseph makes a similar request to his brothers, asking them to carry his bones out of Egypt when God visits them and brings them into the Promised Land. Joseph, like his father Jacob, expressed his faith that God would fulfill His promises, and he wanted to be a part of that fulfillment. Both Jacob and Joseph looked beyond the present circumstances of Egypt to the greater promise of God’s covenant.
Hebrews 11:13-16 – The Faith of the Patriarchs
Hebrews 11 speaks of the faith of the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It notes that these men “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them.” Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan reflects this kind of faith—he trusted in God’s promises, even though he did not live to see them fully realized.
Psalm 105:8-11 – God’s Covenant with Israel
Psalm 105 celebrates God’s covenant with Israel and His promise of the land of Canaan. It is important to remember that Jacob’s request was rooted in this covenant, which was given by God to Abraham and passed down through Isaac. The land of Canaan was not just a geographical location but a symbol of God’s faithfulness to His people.
Modern-Day Relevance
Living with an Eternal Perspective
Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan reminds us of the importance of living with an eternal perspective. Just as Jacob looked beyond the temporary comfort of Egypt to the eternal promises of God, Christians today are called to focus on the eternal rewards promised in Christ. The way we live today should reflect our hope in the resurrection and the promises of God for our future.
Honoring God’s Promises to Future Generations
The way Jacob ensured that his burial would take place in the land of Canaan speaks to the importance of passing on faith to the next generation. As Christians, we should take intentional steps to teach our children and grandchildren about God’s faithfulness and His promises. Like Jacob, we are part of a larger narrative of God’s covenant with His people, and it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations are grounded in that same faith.
Faith in the Face of Death
Jacob’s final act of worship is an example of maintaining faith and trust in God even as death approaches. Today, many Christians face death and suffering, and this passage reminds us that our hope is not in the things of this world but in the eternal promises of God. Just as Jacob’s final moments were marked by faith, we can approach our own mortality with peace and assurance in God’s faithfulness.
Conclusion
Genesis 47:31 teaches us much about faith, legacy, and obedience. Jacob’s request for burial in Canaan was a final act of faith that pointed to the continuing fulfillment of God’s promises, even beyond his death. It calls believers to live in light of God’s covenant, to honor Him in every part of our lives, and to pass down a legacy of faith to the next generation. Just as Jacob’s trust in God shaped his life and decisions, it should shape ours as well.
Genesis 47:31 Commentary
Commentators note that Jacob’s final request was not born out of superstition but out of faith in the covenant promises made to Abraham. His wish to be buried in Canaan was an act of faith that God would continue to honor the covenant with his descendants. In addition, Jacob’s act of bowing down upon the bed’s head is interpreted as a final act of reverence and worship, acknowledging God’s sovereignty in all aspects of life, even in death.
Many scholars also point out that Jacob’s request set the stage for Joseph’s own burial request, linking the faith of the patriarchs and underscoring the continued trust in God’s promises for the future.
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