In the Old Testament there are three mentions of the bones of Joseph: Genesis 50:25, Exodus 13:19, and Joshua 24:32. In turning to the New Testament, we see the final mention of the bones of Joseph in Hebrews 11:22.

Shortly before he died, Joseph made the children of Israel promise to carry his bones with them up out of Egypt to the land of Canaan. Joseph is an exemplar of faith, as explained in the divine commentary given to us in Hebrews 11. He believed in the promise made to the fathers that God would surely deliver them from Egypt and give them the land of promise. His request also speaks to us of the godly and faithful character of Joseph. Although he was the second most powerful man in Egypt, his heart was not really in Egypt. All of its pomp and glory were nothing to him in comparison to his hope in the resurrection. He looked not “at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). Joseph’s faith is an example for us!

Hebrews 11 is sometimes called “the hall of faith” and presents a remarkable list of giants of faith who acted for God, often with a lot less light than we are privileged to understand. Some of these heroes of faith lived lives marred by weakness and even grievous failure. But with Joseph it was otherwise; he was one in whom it is hard to find fault. However, there is One who was sinless: “Jesus the leader and completer of faith” (Heb. 12:2 jnd). He is the greatest example of all! Let us “look steadfastly” on Him.