“And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.  And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, ‘If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: but I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace.’ And he said, ‘I will do as thou hast said.’ And he said, ‘Swear unto me.’ And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.”  Genesis 47:27-31  (KJB)

If you are reading through the Bible using our guide you should have read Genesis 1 – 49 by today.  If you are just following along with these post, I pray you will realize the need for reading the Bible.

At the time of Jacob/Israel, and Joseph and his siblings Egypt was a great, magnificent place to dwell.  Israel had lived there now for seventeen years.  Yet, even in the lap of luxury one must come to realize they will die.  The affluent die just as surely as do the poverty stricken.

Like Israel every individual needs to realize we are not going to live forever in this world.  For that I am grateful.  I do not want to live with this sinful, sickness, disease filled, corrupt, evil world.

As a Christian we do hold citizenship in two worlds.  Yet, with the apostle Paul we must declare our heavenly citizenship to be of the utmost importance (Philippians 3:20).  Israel, yes, and even Joseph were foreigners in the land of Egypt; God’s way of preserving the Jewish nation yet to be born.

Egypt is a type of the world and the flesh.  We live in it as Christians with a dual citizenship; but where is our heart.  Israel’s was that he would be buried in the place where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and others of the family were buried. He wanted his remains to be carried back to the land promised them by God.

Let me end with this thought for us today.  We may live in “Egypt = this world and its attractions” but we do not have to dwell here. Our hearts long to see Jesus. Our lives, our words, and our actions should reflect our desire for home.