People Carrying Joseph’s Bones, Marching in Faith
In Genesis 15, God made a solemn covenant with Abraham, marked by a smoking fire pot passing between divided animal sacrifices. This “Covenant of the Torch” contained four promises: (1) Abraham’s descendants would be strangers in a foreign land being oppressed for 400 years; (2) Abraham would live a long life and die in peace; (3) Israelites would return to Canaan in the fourth generation; and (4) God would give Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. These promises, later recorded in Genesis 15:13–16, shaped Israel’s future.
1. The 400 Years and the Four Generations
The covenant presents a challenge: 400 years of affliction versus four generations. A generation is usually about 40 years, making four generations around 160 years—seemingly inconsistent. Exodus 12:40–41 clarifies: Israel dwelt in Egypt for 430 years, with the first 30 peaceful years under Joseph’s governance. The remaining 400 years were the time of oppression, showing the 400 years as a literal, historical period.
The four generations, however, are not about duration but lineage. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph represent four successive generations. The covenant’s fulfilment came through Joseph. Though he died in Egypt, he ensured his bones would be carried back to Canaan. His instructions to his brothers revealed confidence that God would keep His word.
Genesis 50:24–26 records Joseph’s final command: “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry my bones from here.” This oath was fulfilled during the Exodus when Moses carried Joseph’s bones (Exodus 13:19), and later they were buried in Shechem (Joshua 24:32). Thus, God’s promise that Israel would return in the fourth generation was accomplished through Joseph’s faith and foresight.
2. The Meaning of Joseph’s Bones
Joseph’s bones were more than remains; they symbolized enduring faith. Even after 277 years since God’s covenant with Abraham, Joseph still declared, “God will surely visit you,” repeating the Hebrew ‘paqad’ for emphasis. This confidence that God would act testified to Joseph’s unwavering trust.
Hebrews 11:22 affirms Joseph’s command as an act of faith: “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus…and gave instructions about his bones.” His request revealed a vision that reached beyond death. Joseph believed not only for his lifetime but also for generations yet to come. His bones became a tangible sign that God’s covenant would stand firm.
This speaks directly to believers today. Some may feel their years are nearly over and think God’s work must be left to younger generations. Yet Joseph shows that faith is not bound by lifespan. Even in death, his faith continued to point toward God’s fulfilment. Faith that clings to God’s covenant, despite delay, remains powerful and fruitful across generations.
3. The People Who Carried Joseph’s Bones
Joseph left behind the testimony of faith, but it was the Israelites’ responsibility to carry his bones into Canaan. Physically, Moses ensured the coffin travelled from Egypt to the wilderness. Spiritually, however, the true carriers of Joseph’s bones were those who shared Joseph’s faith. Without such faith, carrying his remains would have been meaningless.
The wilderness generation illustrates this. Though 603,550 men left Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb entered Canaan. The rest perished in the wilderness because of unbelief. Their defining test came at Kadesh Barnea when twelve spies surveyed Canaan (Numbers 13–14). Ten spies returned with fearful reports about the land’s inhabitants, leading Israel to despair and rebel. They wept, grumbled, and even wished to return to Egypt. Their doubt nullified their inheritance.
By contrast, Joshua and Caleb responded with faith. They tore their garments and declared, “We can certainly take the land, for the Lord is with us.” Though others carried Joseph’s coffin physically, Joshua and Caleb carried Joseph’s faith in their hearts. They embodied the meaning of Joseph’s bones—steadfast belief that God would fulfil His covenant, no matter how intimidating the obstacles.
Their story shows that faith is tested when fulfilment seems impossible. God had promised Canaan, but the giants of the land tempted Israel to doubt. At such moments, faith either collapses or shines. Joshua and Caleb persevered, becoming the true carriers of Joseph’s legacy.
4. Lessons for Today
The Covenant of the Torch and the story of Joseph’s bones teach enduring lessons for believers.
First, God’s promises are sure, even if their fulfilment seems delayed. Centuries passed before Abraham’s descendants returned to Canaan, yet God’s word proved true. Faith requires patience to trust divine timing.
Second, faith must be transmitted across generations. Joseph’s confidence became a legacy his descendants carried for centuries until it culminated in Joshua and Caleb’s obedience. Our faith likewise shapes the future of those who come after us.
Third, physical inheritance is not enough; only those who believe fully inherit God’s promises. The first wilderness generation carried Joseph’s coffin but lacked Joseph’s faith. Only Joshua and Caleb, who trusted God wholeheartedly, entered Canaan.
For us, carrying Joseph’s bones means living with that same unwavering confidence in God’s covenant through Christ. It means persevering when circumstances tempt us to despair. Faith that endures beyond what the eyes can see is the faith that enters God’s promises.
5. Final Exhortation
The Covenant of the Torch is more than history; it is a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Joseph’s bones remind us that God’s promises outlast death and endure through generations. They challenge us to maintain faith, to carry it faithfully through life’s wilderness, and to pass it on as a living legacy.
Joshua and Caleb demonstrate that only those who follow the Lord fully will enter the inheritance. Half-hearted belief collapses under testing, but complete trust secures victory. Carrying Joseph’s bones today means embracing a faith that proclaims, “God will surely visit us,” even when circumstances appear contrary.
As spiritual heirs of Abraham, we are called to be the final runners of redemptive history. Just as Joseph looked forward to God’s deliverance, so must we trust in the ultimate redemption through Christ. God’s covenant will surely be fulfilled. May we, like Joseph, Joshua, and Caleb, carry faith that cannot be shaken, and through it, participate in bringing God’s kingdom to completion.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 