Read: Genesis 47:29-31 / Genesis 49:1, 29-33
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days…And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite. Genesis 49:1,29 KJV
There will always come a time when we need to have a talk with someone.
Times when we need to have a one on one or group meeting.
With any family it is good to let our loved ones know what our final wishes are.
God has designed all of us to be able to handle the death of our parents, siblings and loved ones.
The younger may not understand their loss, but as they grow older, they will gain a better understanding.
Like the rest of us, when we begin to trust in the Word, we know that Christians go to live with Jesus when we die.
That we all will be in a place of great rest and will see one another again.
The young as well as the old find great understanding and strength when they do.
Jacob knew he was about to die, called his sons and spoke to them openly and honestly.
He bestowed a blessing on them and his two grandsons.
We know he did not have as much knowledge about the hereafter as we do today since Jesus rose from the grave.
What we do know is that he put his trust in God.
That even though he was facing death, he had a calm confidence that left a lasting impression on all who gathered at his bedside.
Jacob is an example of what it means to for us not to be afraid to talk about death with our families.
It is not a subject that any Christian should avoid.
It is a family matter we should discuss openly and honestly, even with our young children.
Knowing and showing the hope we have in Christ.
That as we live for Him, our death is not one of gloom, but one of glory.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, you have told us in Ecclesiastes 3 that to everything there is a season. That there is a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to weep, mourn, and laugh. How the Word has told us, while we yet live, let us unite in love. Enjoying one another. Acknowledging our sorrows. But rejoicing about the days to come. The day when we will all be together in the heavenly place You have prepared for us. Thank You for showing us that death is not gloom but glory.
In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen