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Hope in the Inheritance

Read: Genesis 46:28-47:12, Ephesians 1

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In Genesis 46:28-47:12, Jacob (Israel) sends Judah ahead to Joseph in Egypt to prepare for their arrival in Goshen. Joseph meets his father, and after a tearful reunion, he presents five of his brothers to Pharaoh, who permits them to settle in the best part of the land, Goshen. Joseph also introduces Jacob to Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses him, marking the family's peaceful settlement in Egypt under Joseph's care.

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Finally, we read of Joseph’s long-awaited reunion with Jacob, his father. Jacob, who once cried out in despair, saying that all things were against him (Genesis 42:36), now stands before his son Joseph with a heart transformed. His previous desire for death was fueled by sorrow and hopelessness. Now he declares he is ready to die, this time not out of despair, but out of deliverance.

Joseph, like Christ, prepares a place for his family in Egypt, ensuring their survival and well-being in a foreign land. In the same way, Jesus prepares a place for us, not in temporary refuge, but in eternal joy. Jacob is fully aware of Joseph’s preparation for their family, and in response, he refers to himself as a pilgrim. He knows that neither Egypt nor Canaan is his true home; his real home is with God. To be a pilgrim is to acknowledge that we are passing through this life. Jacob recognizes that he has always been in a foreign land, understanding that while Egypt provided a temporary refuge, the inheritance Christ offers is eternal and far greater.

While Israel’s stay in Egypt eventually leads to hardship, as we see in the book Exodus, the inheritance that Christ promises is everlasting. As Psalm 16:6 beautifully states, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance." Unlike Israel’s temporary respite in Egypt, the place God has for His people will be good forever.

One final detail speaks volumes about God: Jacob, a simple shepherd, blesses Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world at the time. In that culture, it was always the greater person who blessed the lesser. Yet Jacob, despite his lowly status, stands as the greater man in the eyes of God. This act recalls the blessing of Abraham by Melchizedek. Pharaoh’s power is temporal, but Jacob carries the promise of becoming the father of many nations.

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Like Jacob, we are pilgrims. Our true home is not here but with Christ in heaven. This world can offer temporary comforts, but they pale in comparison to the eternal inheritance God promises us. Jacob’s peace comes from trusting God’s deliverance, not from his circumstances. We are called to live with that same confidence, knowing that our hope is secure in Christ.

The trials and uncertainties we face in life can be overwhelming, but they are not the final word. God is preparing something far better for us. Friend, what are the temporary things that you hold too tightly to in this world? And how does Jacob’s declaration of being a pilgrim challenge your perspective on your earthly life? Today, be reminded that our peace comes not from what we see but from what God promises. The trials we face today may seem overwhelming, but they are temporary compared to the eternal joy and inheritance that await us. We are simply pilgrims, passing through until we get to where we truly belong.