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By Faith, Jacob
and Joseph
(Hebrews 11:21–22)
Introduction
(Hebrews 11:21–22)
Our study from Hebrews 11 brings us today to two remarkable examples
of enduring faith—Jacob and his son Joseph. Both trusted in God’s
promises even as they faced death. Their faith was unwavering,
forward-looking, and rooted in the conviction that God always
fulfills His word.
Jacob’s Faith
in His Final Days
Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each
of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning on the top of his
staff.” Jacob was old and frail. His body was weak, but his faith
remained strong. As Joseph brought his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh,
to him, Jacob gathered what strength he had left to bless them.
Genesis 48 records this tender scene. Though near death, Jacob
remembered the promises God had made to Abraham and Isaac—promises
of a great nation, a promised land, and a coming Messiah through his
lineage.
Jacob never saw
those promises fulfilled during his lifetime. He was, in fact,
living in Egypt—away from the promised land. Yet his faith did not
depend on sight. Even in weakness, he worshiped God and acted in
confidence that the Lord would do all He had promised. Jacob knew
that the covenant blessings would continue through his descendants.
When he crossed his hands to bless Ephraim, the younger, over
Manasseh, the older, he did so knowingly, guided by God’s will.
Jacob’s faith
was not theoretical; it was living, worshiping faith. He refused to
let old age, weakness, or frailty silence his praise. Even on his
deathbed, his trust in God moved him to action. He worshiped in
faith, teaching us that true belief in God always leads to faithful
obedience, no matter our circumstances.
Joseph’s
Faith in God’s Providence
Hebrews 11:22 says, “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made
mention of the departure of the children of Israel and gave
instructions concerning his bones.” Joseph’s life was marked by
hardship and testing from beginning to end. Betrayed by his
brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and
imprisoned—Joseph’s life could have bred bitterness. Yet through it
all, he trusted in God’s providence.
When Joseph was
reunited with his brothers years later, he did not seek vengeance.
Instead, he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for
good” (Genesis 50:20). Joseph saw beyond the immediate pain to God’s
larger purpose. His faith recognized that God can use even wicked
intentions to accomplish righteous ends.
Joseph’s faith
looked beyond this world. As his life neared its end, he told his
family, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones
from here” (Genesis 50:25). He believed God’s promise to
Abraham—that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan.
Though Joseph died in Egypt, he was confident that God’s plan would
continue. Two hundred years later, Moses fulfilled that request.
That act of faith still speaks today: faith looks forward, not
backward; it trusts God’s timing and His promises.
Faith That
Endures and Trusts God’s Word
Both Jacob and Joseph lived by faith in promises they never saw
fulfilled. Each trusted God completely, believing that His word
would not fail. Jacob’s faith was expressed in worship and blessing.
Joseph’s faith was expressed in perseverance and hope. Both men
looked beyond this temporary world to something eternal and better.
Their faith was
not shaken by delay, disappointment, or suffering. Instead, it grew
stronger through trials. The lesson for us is clear: faith does not
depend on immediate results. It depends on a faithful God. True
faith continues to trust even when life seems uncertain, when
prayers seem unanswered, and when the reward appears distant.
Faith
Fulfilled in Christ
Galatians 3:16 tells us that the promises made to Abraham and his
descendants were ultimately fulfilled in Christ: “Now to Abraham and
his seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as
of many, but as of one, ‘And to your seed,’ who is Christ.” The
faith of Jacob and Joseph points forward to the faith we must have
in Jesus, the promised seed through whom salvation came.
Through Christ,
we receive the same inheritance of eternal life that they looked
forward to. Their promised land was a shadow of the heavenly country
Jesus has prepared for us. Like them, we must trust that what God
has promised, He will perform.
By Faith,
Jacob and Joseph Sermon Outline:
I. Jacob’s
Faith in His Final Days (Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 48:1–20)
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Jacob
remembered God’s covenant promises to Abraham and Isaac.
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Though old
and frail, he gathered strength to bless Ephraim and Manasseh.
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His faith
acted even when physical strength was gone.
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His worship
was proof that faith transcends circumstance.
II.
Joseph’s Faith in God’s Providence (Genesis 50:15–21)
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Joseph
endured betrayal, slavery, and prison without losing faith.
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He
recognized God’s hand in his suffering: “God meant it for good.”
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His life
teaches the power of trust during trials and forgiveness of
others.
III.
Joseph’s Faith in the Future Promise (Genesis 50:24–25)
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Joseph
believed God would bring Israel out of Egypt.
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He made his
family promise to carry his bones to the promised land.
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Two
centuries later, Moses fulfilled that command.
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Faith looks
beyond death to God’s eternal fulfillment.
IV. Faith
Fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16)
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The promises
to Abraham’s descendants were fulfilled in Christ.
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Through
faith in Christ, we become heirs of those same promises.
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Like the
patriarchs, we must live by faith, trusting in God’s eternal
plan.
Call to
Action:
We must have the same faith that Jacob and Joseph had—a faith that
endures, obeys, and worships. Life will bring hardships and trials,
but God is faithful. Trust His promises even when you cannot see
their fulfillment. Obey His word fully, and never let weariness or
discouragement rob you of faithfulness. If you have not obeyed the
gospel of Christ, believe His word, repent of your sins, confess His
name, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).
Live each day trusting in the God who always keeps His promises.
Key
Takeaways:
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Faith
endures through weakness and hardship (Hebrews 11:21–22).
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True faith
worships and obeys even when life is difficult (Genesis
48:1–20).
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God can turn
human evil into divine good (Genesis 50:20).
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Faith looks
beyond death to eternal life (Genesis 50:25).
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The promises
to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16).
Scripture
Reference List:
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Hebrews
11:21–22 – Jacob and Joseph’s
faith remembered and recorded.
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Genesis
48:1–20 – Jacob blesses Ephraim
and Manasseh in faith.
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Genesis
50:15–21 – Joseph forgives his
brothers and trusts God’s plan.
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Genesis
50:24–25 – Joseph’s final act of
faith in the promised land.
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Acts
27:25 – Faith in God’s word leads
to confidence and obedience.
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Galatians 3:16 – God’s promises
fulfilled in Christ.
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Acts
2:38 – The response of faith and
obedience in salvation.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
