4 When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph saidto Pharaoh‘s court, "If I have found favor in your eyes,
speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, 5 ‘My father mademe swear an oath and said, "I am about to die; bury mein the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan."
Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return. - P114
10 When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, nearthe Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and thereJoseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for hisfather.
- P115
11 When the Canaanites who lived there saw themourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "Theof mourn-Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremonying." That is why that place near the Jordan is calledAbel Mizraim.
- P115
12 So Jacob‘s sons did as he had commanded them:13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buriedhim in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre,
which Abraham had bought along with the field as aburial place from Ephron the Hittite. - P115
After Jacob‘s death, Joseph fulfills his father‘s final wish to be buriedin Canaan. - P116
The Egyptians mourn seventy days for Jacob, and Josephweeps over his father, showing no restraint in expressing his grief. It isgood for us to take the time we need to grieve the death of a loved one.
- P116
While we know that for believers, death will give way to resurrectionand eternal life, we also acknowledge that death is a painful reminder ofsin and was never part of God‘s original design. - P116
Just as Jesus wept overLazarus before raising him from the dead, we should also grieve withthose who grieve. - P116
But even as we mourn, we have hope in God andreceive His comfort through His Word and His people. - P116
The lament for Jacob is so loud and bitter that the Canaanites takenotice. This reminds us of the importance of pouring out our heartswhen we lament. - P116
We may try to hold it in or "keep it all together," butwhen we look at how God‘s servants lamented in the Bible, we see adifferent picture. The psalmists, for instance, often vented to God withvery honest and expressive emotions. - P116
When we pour our hearts out toGod, we allow His comfort and presence to fill us. - P116
Lamenting also helpsus to "mourn with those who mourn" (Rom. 12:15). God has placed uswithin a church community so that we need not suffer alone. - P116
"When you pray, be honest with God and tell Him how you really feel.
Remember that Jesus knows exactly how you feel, and He understands everyexperience of life."- Warren Wiersbe - P116
As he gasps for air, the only thing that allows him to find breathand not lose heart is knowing that all these waves and breakers comefrom his loving Savior.
- P117
In psalms of lament, the authors do not mince their words as they ventbefore the Lord the agitation they feel within. - P117
They ask God why theyhave been forgotten, they call for just retribution upon their enemies,
and they express the depth of their agony in all of its bitterness. - P117
Buttheir honesty is always rooted in their knowledge and assurance ofGod‘s care for them. Since we have the same promise, we can dolikewise. - P117
Let us be open and honest with God in prayer, especiallywhen we face trials. - P117
Dear Lord, thank you for Your Word that encourages me to be fully openwith You and others when I am in pain. - P117
Teach me to comfort others with thecomfort You have given me. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P117
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