The Bones of Joseph
Twelve men, Israelites from each tribe, took their turns in carrying this strange Egyptian coffin through the blazing sun of a long wilderness journey. And, now finally, with the floodwaters of Jordan piled up in a heap to their right, they hastened across the dry river bed into a wonderful land, long ago promised to their forefathers. And as they stepped out of the river into Canaan, they still carried that coffin containing the bones of a man of God, a prophet and ruler in Egypt, who had at his death hundreds of years before prophesied of this very event.
Mystery in a Coffin
Forty years previous to the crossing of Jordan, Israel had passed through the Red Sea under the leadership of Moses, and had been delivered from the tyranny and bondage of Pharaoh. And now, with Joshua as their leader, they were entering into that which had long been promised by the Lord God. There was still much conflict ahead of them, and yet there was a jubilation, a note of victory among them. They were home at last. Their feet were finally in the promises of God. Their hearts had been there for many years, but now they were actually walking in the fulfillment of the words of the prophets. There were many cities to be taken, many enemies to put under their feet. But they had a feeling of being "home."
But why, for forty years, had they continued to go through the hardship of carrying this coffin with a dead man's bones? With the wilderness they had been in, it had been no easy task. Why didn't they leave Joseph in Egypt in his royal tomb, or at least bury him somewhere in the wilderness? Herein lies a mystery that has a definite relationship to the glorious message of Sonship and end-time events. When you catch the same vision for this end of the age, that this prophet of God had for his day, then your heart will thrill with the glory of what God is about to do!
"By Faith, Joseph."
God has always revealed His secrets unto His servants, the prophets. And Joseph was a prophet, a Seer, one who could see future events by the eye of the Spirit. And he saw an event coming that overshadowed all the glory of his rich and fruitful life of testings, faithfulness, and victories. He longed to be a part of that which was yet to come, and because he saw it coming and hungered for it, he made provision for himself to be in it.
Chapter eleven of Hebrews is commonly known as the "Faith" chapter. It tells of the Old Testament heroes of faith, and generally gives the outstanding thing about their lives. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain"; "By faith Enoch was translated"; "By faith Noah. built an ark"; and in a few words a short synopsis of those men's lives is given. But in verse 22, when it speaks of Joseph, it does not speak of his coat of many colors, nor of his purity and victory in the case of Potiphar's wife, nor of the prison testing, nor does it even mention that he sat on Egypt's throne and saved the nation from starvation. But his faith dealt with something far greater than those things. "BY FAITH JOSEPH, WHEN HE DIED, MADE MENTION OF THE DEPARTING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: AND GAVE COMMANDMENT CONCERNING HIS BONES." What a strange thing to record about a man in this great faith chapter. There must be a tremendous truth here that we have not seen before! Let us look into the Word.
Abraham's Cave
The entire 23rd chapter of Genesis is taken up with but one subject, the transaction of Abraham buying a cave from the children of Heth for a burial grounds for his wife and family. This is an important and sacred place to Abraham. Perhaps you can believe that all this has no meaning, that God put this chapter in the Bible just to fill up space and make more work for printers and readers, but I am convinced that "every word of God is pure" and that everything put in this Bible is important.
Sarah was dead. And Abraham was now about to establish his burial place, for himself as well as future generations. He refused to accept it as a gift, for he wanted it signed and sealed so that future generations could not deny that this place belonged to him and his heirs. Abraham, the Bible says, was a prophet. And seeing a glorious event coming, he wanted to be ready for it. He was willing to pay the price for it. Others could not see why Abraham was so willing to pay such a price. But then the children of Heth had not heard from God as Abraham had. And so today many cannot get excited about what God is speaking concerning Sonship and Glory, because they have not heard from God nor caught the vision of these truths. But Abraham wanted this cave, which was located in what would someday be the land belonging to the tribe of Judah, just a few miles south of Jerusalem, the Holy city.
Prophetic Bones
According to Genesis 49:29-31, Abraham's cave at Machpelah was where not only Abraham and Sarah were buried, but also Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah. This matter seemed to be very important to these saints. And now, way down in the land of Egypt we find Joseph giving instructions for his bones to be taken out with the children of Israel when God brings them out of Egypt. "GOD WILL SURELY VISIT YOU, AND BRING YOU OUT OF THIS LAND UNTO THE LAND WHICH HE SWARE TO ABRAHAM, TO ISAAC, AND TO JACOB. AND JOSEPH TOOK AN OATH OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING GOD WILL SURELY VISIT YOU, AND YE SHALL CARRY UP MY BONES FROM THENCE." (Genesis 50:24)
Rage all you want, Pharaoh. Determine that you will destroy this people, it will do you no good. There's a coffin full of bones here in Egypt that says you will fail. For hundreds of years, while the children of Israel wept in their tribulations and chafed under their bondage, there has been a prophet's bones patiently waiting for the day when they will leave here for the promised land.
At the edge of the Red Sea, with Pharaoh's army waiting till morning to begin the slaughter, the people complained to Moses that they would perish. But they carried a coffin that said they were all fearful liars. If necessary, the waters will part to let them escape, for the Word of the Lord has gone forth through the lips of His prophet, and these bones must reach their final resting place. For forty years the mixed multitude bitterly complained that they would never reach the promised land. And because of their unbelief, the complainers were right. Their bones bleached in the desert. But someone must go in--the Word of the Lord has gone forth, and this coffin full of bones that they have carried every step of the journey continues to testify to the faith of Joseph that it shall be so.
Moses Made Sure
"AND MOSES TOOK THE BONES OF JOSEPH WITH HIM:" (Exodus 13:19). He was taking no chances. The Word of the Lord has been spoken, and an oath had been taken. Moses knew that the impossible task before him could only be met through the word of the Lord. His strength and abilities were as nothing in the face of the problem, but this coffin of bones was his insurance. Joseph, the prophet of God, had spoken the word. And Moses stood on the Word of the Lord. "Look not about thee, my little ones, at the circumstances that would overwhelm thee, nor at the enemy that would destroy thee, for have I not said, and will I not fulfill my purposes in thee? Let it not be a small thing unto thee that I have spoken unto thee. But rest thou in my word, and let thy foundation be upon the Rock. For my Word shall hold thee up, and the enemy shall not prevail though he rages against thee." Glory to God's great Name!
Let the rebels take up their stones, the bones of Joseph say that they will not find their mark. Let the complainers spew out their doctrine of defeat. While they talk of death and discouragement, there is a coffin in the midst that speaks of life and victory in a land that flows with milk and honey. Let them talk of going back to Egypt, the voice of the prophet that still dwells among them says that they must go on. Ever onward and upward to new heights of glory, and revelation. Stop in the wilderness if you must, and camp under your palm trees. Call it Canaan if you will, but hear the Word of the Lord out of the bones. There is a land of promise with spiritual riches beyond our imagination, for those who will dare to go on with God!
Why Must the Bones Go?
It is true that these bones in the camp of Israel on the wilderness journey were a sign and a prophetic witness that God would bring them into the land of promise. But Joseph had much more in mind when he prophesied concerning his bones. Why did he want his bones in Canaan instead of Egypt? Egypt had been good to him, he was a ruler and could have a royal tomb. His wife and sons were buried there. Why did he make sure that they would cart his bones all through that wilderness back to the land of his youth? Herein lies a mystery, the answer to which will thrill your heart with the prospect of what God is about to do in His Sons.
What difference could it possibly make to Joseph where his dead body rested? He was a very spiritual man, and as long as he knew his spirit would be with his God, why was he so concerned about his flesh? It was far more than just a sentimental gesture. There was a deep spiritual significance. Joseph was a prophet, a Seer, one who sees future events. And he saw a glorious even taking place more than seventeen centuries after his death. He saw the glory that would come to those who would be able to participate in this great event, and he wanted to be a part of it. Hear me beloved, for this concerns you today. The Spirit of God showed this man a glory that was coming. But there was something he had to do. He made arrangements for his body to be buried just north of the city of Jerusalem, in a cave purchased for that very purpose. He made provisions to be in the place where he could participate in this great event and partake of the glory.
Just what was this wonderful event? It is found in Matthew 27:51-53. "AND, BEHOLD, THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT IN TWAIN FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM: AND THE EARTH DID QUAKE, AND THE ROCKS RENT AND THE GRAVES WERE OPENED, AND MANY BODIES OF THE SAINTS WHICH SLEPT AROSE, AND CAME OUT OF THE GRAVES AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, AND WENT INTO THE HOLY CITY AND APPEARED UNTO MANY." Glory to God. What a world shaking, history making thing was taking place! Jesus had been crucified, had paid the penalty for our sins, and the third day had risen from the tomb. Then, following his resurrection, graves of many of the saints were opened and they came into the city. Now notice carefully. Not all the saints arose, but many. It does not say who they were, but I am confident that I know the names of some that were mentioned in Hebrews 11. "They went into the city." So the graves were somewhere outside the city. It does not say where the graves were, but I know of one that was located in a cave somewhere north of Jerusalem which I am confident you would find empty if you went there today. They "appeared unto many." It does not say they were recognized, but they were seen. Not as spirits or ghosts, not as dried up piles of bones rattling down the streets of Jerusalem. But they were seen in their bodies, their new bodies, their resurrected, glorified bodies. And nowhere does it say, and it would be a violation of scripture and reason to even imagine that these saints returned to their old graves and died again or returned to dust. Lev. 23:10-12 gives us, in type, a picture of the resurrection of Christ. It was a single "Corn of wheat" that fell into the ground at the death and burial of Jesus (John 12:24). But it was a "sheaf" or "handful" that was waved before the Lord as a type of resurrection. At this time in history, one man died for all mankind, but "many" of the saints arose with Him in resurrected bodies to witness of the power and promise of God.
Was Joseph There?
I believe with all my heart that the prophet Joseph was among those who walked the streets of Jerusalem that day, as well as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why else did the Spirit lead them to make their burial place certain, almost on the outskirts of that city where all this was taking place? So what is the result? Many bodies of saints, including all the New Testament church who have gone on to be with the Lord are still in the grave today, waiting for the resurrection. Then shall they be clothed upon with life, and then shall death be swallowed up in victory! This is our inheritance as saints, and we are happy about it. But there are some who will not have to wait until the final trump for their corruptible to put on incorruption. So far they have been enjoying their glorified bodies for almost 2,000 years. Why? Because they were saints, "set apart," and because they were men and women of faith. Look at Joseph. While he had the authority, he made them take an oath so binding upon Israel that in spite of the difficulties involved, they had to carry his bones through 40 years of wilderness wanderings until they could put him to rest in the cave. By the eye of the Spirit he not only saw the departing of the children of Israel from Egypt, but he also saw a greater event and made sure that he would be near enough to be a part of it.
What About Today?
The important thing about this whole message is, how does it affect us today in this end of the age revival? Oh, beloved, I want you to see the glorious thing that God is about to do in the earth in our time. The saints who arose with Christ were the firstfruits of the resurrection. They are living proof that the harvest is actually going to follow. We do not have to fear that this glorious promise of life after death is only a myth or fable. Jesus Himself with many of the saints actually arose and walked the streets of Jerusalem in their new bodies, and were seen by the people. This was the firstfruits, but the harvest was to wait for many centuries. Joseph did not have to wait, he could be in the firstfruits company, because of his vision, his desire, and his faith.
God has promised that the "latter house shall be greater than the former." His end-time church is going to arise in the power of the Spirit to a degree never before known on this earth except for Jesus himself. What a glory shall cover this earth as the waters cover the sea! But God has much to deal with His church before she is ready for this glory. Some poor people have been seduced into thinking that perhaps tonight they will all blithely fly out into space and leave all their problems behind. But God has other plans for His Church. She is going to come into perfection right here on this earth, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but it will be through much tribulation.
But some are hearing the voice of God now. They are catching a vision of a "firstfruits company" that shall be willing to die to self and become a sign, and ensign to the rest of the Church and this victory is not a myth or fable, but a living reality. This "Joseph company" is making provision for themselves to be in the place in God where they will be ready at His appearing. You can wait till the last ones come in if you want, but as for me, I have heard His voice and have caught the vision of great things for this hour. And by His marvelous grace I want to be among those who bread through as pioneers in this realm of the Spirit. Someone is going in. What some are claiming thus far as the inheritance falls far too short of the glorious promises of God. You can be satisfied with heaven and a mansion if you want, and if that is the extent of your vision. But I tell you, there is something far greater for those who will dare to believe.
How Big is God?
What a foolish question that would be. There is no way to measure His greatness. There is no limit to our God, nor to His plans for His elect. There is not space here to even tell a portion of His riches in Christ Jesus to the saints. This message is only to alert you to the glorious truth that there is a "firstfruits company" of people who shall very soon enter into that "inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." How is this glorious inheritance going to be revealed? In living vessels. God was revealed in Jesus Christ. God was manifest in the flesh in Jesus Christ. No one had ever really seen what God was like until He unveiled Himself in Jesus. His love, His compassion, His wisdom and power and authority were fully expressed in Jesus.
Christ in You
And now we see that the plan of God is for Christ to have a body of believers through which He can express Himself and reveal Himself to the world. The general run of the church people have not had the faith to believe for anything more than just getting into heaven by the skin of their teeth, and maybe getting "a Cabin in the corner of gloryland." But in these last days there is again arising a bunch of spiritual pioneers who have dared to believe that God is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." They have heard the promise of God that He is going to have a people who have been conformed to the image of the Son of God. They have believed that Jesus is able to bring MANY sons unto Glory, just as He promised in Hebrews 2:10. We are not worthy, but He is able. So we put all our hopes in Him. In fact, the Word is plain that our only hope of glory in Christ in us. Hallelujah!
Oh, dear ones, let the bones of Joseph speak to your heart. All through this wilderness journey we have the witness that a firstfruits company shall break forth in life and power. Believe it! Let it work in you! Be a part of what God is doing in our day. Let faith spring up within you for greater things than you have ever dared to believe for. "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!"
Bill Britton The Bones of Joseph 