Finishing Faith's Journey - Treasures of Faith - Week 6 Day 7

TODAY'S TREASURE

Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers...” 

Genesis 49:29

Transcript

Finishing Faith’s Journey 

Chuck and Sharon Betters

Today’s Treasure

Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers...” 

Genesis 49:29

One of the brilliant threads woven throughout Hebrews 11 is the eternal perspective of each character. Jacob’s worship and anticipation of “resting with his fathers” reminded the early Hebrew Christians that there was so much more to life than the painful trials they were presently undergoing. Even as biblical promises bring comfort to dying Christians today, God’s repeated promises of the covenant comforted Jacob in his last days. God had promised him:

• that He, the Lord, would give to Jacob’s descendants the Promised Land
• that Jacob’s family would greatly increase and prosper through the years
• that all peoples on the earth would be blessed through them
• that He would never forsake them

In the fullness of time, God would keep each and every one of these promises to Jacob (Genesis 28:13b–15; 35:11–13; 46:2–4).

By the end of Jacob’s life, his family had certainly grown quite large and prosperous. Joseph’s leadership in Egypt had proved to be a tremendous blessing, not only to the people of that nation but for all the surrounding nations as well, which turned to Egypt for assistance during a severe famine. Finally, Jacob had learned by this point in his life that God had been with him every step of the journey and had never forsaken him. Thus, Jacob had already seen the fulfillment, in part, of God’s promises to him—and yet this was only just the beginning, just the “tip of the iceberg” of what God intended to do through this special family.

Jacob’s life story shows us the journey of a man who suffered the consequences, again and again, of trying to make his own way in this world, by hook or by crook. Yet this story ends on a bright and encouraging note: we see a man humbled, a man redeemed, a life joyfully surrendered in worship to the living God. The Lord had shown Jacob the utter futility of attempting to control his own destiny; not even the cleverest of Jacob’s schemes could compare to the magnificent joy of accepting God’s will and God’s own purposes for his life. The consequences of Jacob’s various deceptions only served to expose this deeply flawed and struggling sinner’s great helplessness. Jacob, finally “getting it,” learned to cling to the God of his fathers for everything he needed in life. Through a painful and, at times, very difficult learning process, Jacob experienced firsthand God’s great and deep covenantal love. Jacob, at the end of his life, was determined to pass on to his children and grandchildren the truths he had himself finally and truly embraced, the great promises of the covenant, the great love of a sovereign and gracious God.

As we struggled to drive home the truths of this chapter, we received the following note from a young woman who has encountered numerous severe difficulties and great sorrows in her own life journey:

“Tonight I lay in bed and you came to mind. You have spoken in the past about how God was “pruning” you. For over eight years I’ve been in deep anguish as I have tried to live with the consequences of my husband’s sin and as I’ve tried to understand what you meant. Tonight, the pruning really made sense to me. I actually could picture God holding shears and cutting away the dead branches of my life (at least He was trying, and I kept pulling away). He is trying to teach me how to grow up, how to see that all that I am going through is actually Him trying to clean house in my heart and soul.

In no way have I “arrived”, but I am beginning to think that I should write out my personal testimony so that I can see where God has brought me (and, boy, has He been patient!) and how He has been so faithful to me through all the stages in my life. I am sure I will continue to struggle as God continues to cut off all that stands between us to make me the woman He wants me to be. But maybe someday His patient faithfulness to me will serve to encourage someone else.”

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT 

Jacob had known success, status, and wealth, and, though it took many long years, he finally learned that all the riches and comforts this world has to offer cannot even begin to compare with what God has prepared for those who love Him. By the end of his life, Jacob treasured intimacy with God above all else. He had learned that the life of a servant, the life of one who follows and obeys the living God, is far better than a life of selfish scheming and lonely independence. You might say that Jacob had learned as “Israel,” as one who struggled, that it was better to be the most lowly and obedient servant and travel in fellowship with God than to be the wealthiest and most successful man on earth and yet walk alone. At the end of his now fully surrendered life, Jacob could say, with the psalmist:

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.“ Psalm 84:10–12

Jacob’s life was a tapestry of grace woven through failure, grief, repentance, and renewal. As he prepared to die, he gave instructions to be buried in Canaan—not Egypt, where he had found comfort, but in the land of promise.

He chose to be laid beside Leah, not Rachel. He embraced the legacy of faith over personal preference. And he worshiped. Leaning on his staff, Jacob blessed his sons and grandsons, recalling God’s promises and proclaiming his hope.

Hebrews 11 doesn’t highlight Jacob’s wrestling or scheming. It commends his faith as he worshiped at the end of his life.

Jacob finished well. Not because he lived perfectly, but because he trusted God to redeem the story.

You don’t need a flawless record to finish in faith. You need surrender. You need to lean on the Shepherd who has led you all the way.

Your legacy isn’t about the titles you held, the money you earned, or even the pain you endured. It’s about pointing others to the God who will never let you go.

Finish well, friend. Worship, bless, and believe.

PRAYER

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, be my Shepherd to the end. Help me live with eternity in view. Let my final days be filled with faith, not fear. Use my life to reflect Your glory. Amen.

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Adapted from Treasures of Faith by Chuck and Sharon Betters with permission from P&R Publishing

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