JOSEPH is an old man. He has been at every station in life more than once and has lived to bounce his great, great grandchildren on his knees. It’s time to talk about a future he will not live to see. So he calls those most precious to him and says many things, but two are most striking.

Joseph recalls the Promise of God (50:24); he exact s a promise from those around him (50:25).

It is no coincidence that the Book of Genesis ends with a retelling of God’s precious promise: God’s loyalty. It is, after all, a book all about a God who loves with a steadfast love; a covenant love. Equally, it is no surprise that a promise is exacted of those who surround Joseph, for they are the people of the book: the People of the Promise. Even as God will keep His oath to them, they will participate as oath-keepers, looking forward to His promised deliverance.

We live alongside our brothers who close the book of Genesis. We, like them, dwell between the promises of God, looking forward to the Day when He will “come to our aid, and carry our bones from this place.”