Meaning of Hebrews 11:22

Hebrews 11:22 highlights Joseph's profound faith as demonstrated in his final actions, looking beyond his present circumstances to the future deliverance of his people. Despite being in Egypt, a land that had become both his home and the place of his family's enslavement, Joseph's dying words were not of personal comfort or Egyptian prosperity, but of faith in God's promise to lead the Israelites out of bondage. This act underscores a radical orientation towards God's covenant and a deep understanding that their true destiny lay not in Egypt, but in the promised land. His instruction to carry his bones out of Egypt with them signifies his unwavering belief in the future exodus, a pivotal event that would ultimately fulfill God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Context and Background

Joseph, the son of Jacob, experienced a remarkable life that took him from favored son to slave, then to a high-ranking official in Egypt. He played a crucial role in saving Egypt from famine and subsequently brought his entire family to live there. However, the narrative of the Israelites in Egypt eventually shifts to one of oppression and slavery, as detailed in the book of Exodus. Hebrews 11, the "faith chapter," is recounting the exploits of individuals who lived by faith, often in anticipation of God's promises. Joseph, at the end of his life, is presented as an exemplar of this faith, not just in his own life but in his foresight for his descendants. His burial instructions were not merely practical matters of interment but a testament to his conviction that Egypt was not their final dwelling place.

Key Themes and Messages

• Faith in God's Promises: The primary theme is Joseph's unwavering faith in God's covenantal promises, particularly the promise of land and national destiny for his descendants. He believed God's plan would unfold, even if he wouldn't personally witness it.
• Anticipation of Deliverance: Joseph's focus on the "exodus" reveals his anticipation of a future liberation from Egyptian bondage. This demonstrates a spiritual perspective that transcends immediate comfort or security.
• Legacy and Continuity: By directing his burial, Joseph ensured his bones would be a physical reminder and a part of the eventual exodus. This highlights the importance of passing on faith and the covenantal promises to future generations.
• Stewardship of Faith: Joseph acted as a steward of the faith entrusted to him and his lineage, making provisions for its continuity and outward expression, even in death.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse offers profound spiritual lessons. It calls believers to cultivate a faith that is forward-looking, trusting in God's ultimate purposes even when faced with present challenges or comfortable surroundings. Joseph's example encourages us to prioritize our spiritual destiny and the fulfillment of God's promises over temporary worldly advantages. It also teaches the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy for our families and communities, ensuring that the faith we have received is passed on and actively lived out. Our lives, like Joseph's bones, can be a testament to our belief in God's future work.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Joseph's faith in the exodus anticipates the central event of the Old Testament, the liberation of Israel from Egypt under Moses. His foresight connects the patriarchal period (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) to the Mosaic covenant and the formation of the nation of Israel. The carrying out of Joseph's bones, as recorded in Exodus 13:19, becomes a historical fulfillment of his dying wish and a tangible link in God's redemptive history. This act underscores the continuous thread of God's faithfulness and His people's response of faith throughout biblical history.

Analogies

• A Seed Dormant in Winter: Joseph's faith is like a seed planted in the ground during winter. Though dormant and seemingly inactive, it holds within it the promise of future growth and fruitfulness in the spring. His instructions were a way of ensuring the seed would be present when the season of harvest arrived.
• A Traveler with a Destination: Imagine a traveler who, knowing their ultimate destination is far away and requires a long journey, prepares meticulously for the departure. Joseph, though living in Egypt, viewed it as a temporary stop, and his final instructions were his way of packing for the grand journey of the exodus.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 50:24-26: This passage in Genesis recounts Joseph's prophecy and burial instructions, providing the narrative basis for Hebrews 11:22. Joseph says, "God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of Egypt to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." He also makes them swear an oath: "When God comes to your aid, you must carry my remains out of Egypt with you."
• Exodus 13:19: This verse in Exodus records the fulfillment of Joseph's promise: "Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath when he said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.'"
• Hebrews 11:13-16: These verses, preceding and following 11:22, speak of others who lived by faith, acknowledging that they were "foreigners and strangers on earth" and that they were "longing for a better country—a heavenly one." Joseph's faith aligns perfectly with this broader theme of sojourning and looking for a heavenly city.