William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 11:22 - 11:22

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 11:22 - 11:22


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Here we have a two-fold instance of Joseph's faith when dying.

1. He made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; he said unto his brethren, Behold I die, but God shall bring you unto the land which he hath sworn unto your fathers. See how the good man dies in the faith of the promise.

Thence learn, That it is of singular use and great advantage to the church, that such believers as have been eminent in profession, should in their dying moments testify their faith in the promises of God; so did Jacob before, so did Joseph now.

The second instance or evidence of Joseph's faith was, that he gave commandment concerning his bones; that is, he took an oath of his brethren that they should carry his bones out of Egypt, and bury them in Canaan, thereby owning and professing himself to be of the posterity of Abraham; and thereby also encouraging the faith and expectation of his brethren and their posterity to hope for their deliverance out of Egypt, and to be put into the possession of the promised land; so that it is evident that there was faith, much faith, showed by Joseph in disposing of his bones. The Papists' plea from hence for paying veneration to their relics, is weak and contemptible: this was a special charge given in faith to do what was done; and to shut them up in a coffin, and decently bury them was all that was done.

Now to take example, from hence, to dig men's bones out of their graves, to enshrine them and place them upon altars, to carry them in procession, to adore them, to ascribe miraculous operations to them, casting out devils and the like, is fond and ridiculous.