Bibledoorajar: Going Home

Jacob, having completed his forecast for his sons, closed his eyes and died. When he had blessed Joseph's children earlier he had started the blessings this way:

"May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked—
the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day,
the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm...." (Gen. 48).

And in death, he asked Joseph to return his body for burial to the land of Canaan that was promised to his grandfather. Jacob believed this truth, that Canaan was home. He valued the God who had shepherded him all his life and kept him from harm.  Even in Egypt he was a great encourager/patriarch and his goodness was recognized by many of the Egyptians. Their honor of him was fueled by his great testimonies of God's goodness/plan for his life, a story he shared from the Pharoah down to any Egyptian who would listen.
There is something very wonderful about valuing God in our lives and taking this kind of stance among those with whom we interact. It says that we are first worshipers of the Lord and that we value His kingdom principles highly. And so when we leave this world going home we leave behind a community that will share the testimony of Whom we honored the most. When Joseph and his brothers left Egypt to carry their father's body back to Canaan they were accompanied by many Egyptians. When the Canaanites saw them come into the land it was clear to them that many of the people looked like Egyptians and clearly they were honoring someone with their mourning. They did not know that Jacob had strengthened and encouraged his sons and even the Egyptians calling out the best in them, but they did see a seven day period of honoring him which spoke volumes.

Jacob's work on earth was completed and he left to pursue honored other worldly relationships. He believed the Truth and he was going home. What truth will your going home speak?