When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.Genesis 49:33
CROWNED
When Jacob breathed his last, he was gathered to his people. This expression was used of Abraham when he died (Gen 25:8). It is not to be understood as burial or interment; for Sarah’s body was the only remains in the cave of Machpelah when Abraham breathed his last. Through all the hardships and blessings Jacob encountered, with all the trials and joys he experienced, Jacob’s time upon this mortal coil had ended and he was gathered to his people. Paul expressed it this way toward the end of his life:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.2 Timothy 4:7-8
When the apostle died, he was likewise gathered to his people, receiving the crown of righteousness along with all those saved by God’s grace, who have loved Christ’s appearing. Jacob loved Christ’s appearing, having seen Him atop the ladder that reached into heaven (Gen 28:12-13), and having wrestled with Him in the night (Gen 32:24-30).The fullness of the gospel may have been shrouded in mystery to the Old Testament saints as they looked forward to the promise of Messiah, but the blessings of faith remain the same for all recipients of salvation by God’s grace. When we, or our loved ones in Christ, are gathered to our people, we will be forever with our Lord Jesus, and with all those who have loved His appearing. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When old Jacob breathed his last, He was gathered to that place Where Paul and Abraham both had passed As sinners saved by grace.
“Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.” Genesis 27:42 REMEDY There are quite too many gospel pictures from the lives of Jacob and Esau to cover in a single devotional. Yet we should recall some...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24 IMPOSSIBLE Absurdities, such as this one, were commonly used by rabbis before the days of...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 HUMILIATION Certainly, we realize...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:6 REMOVING the STUMBLING BLOCKS We may glean several lessons from Jehoshaphat’s life. Although he made a...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 CUP Matthew’s gospel records that the Lord Jesus prayed this three times. As perfect, sinless Man, Jesus...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 Every December 1st I read this verse, and with tears in my eyes,...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8, essentially expressing what the Lord...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
My Thanksgiving gift to you... The Kindle edition of CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED as been available as a free eBook for quite some time, but I wanted to make you aware of it in case you don't have a copy. Click the link below to get your copy. If you...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. Leviticus 10:1, KJV I’ve heard some suggest that...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
