Loving-Kindness Shown By A Son

Abraham's grandson Jacob also received loving-kindness. As Genesis chapter 47 relates, Jacob was then living in Egypt, and "the days approached for [him] to die." ( Verses 27-29) He was concerned because he was going to die outside the land that God had promised to Abraham. (Genesis 15:18; 35:10, 12; 49:29-32) Jacob did not want to be buried in Egypt, however, so he made provisions for his remains to be taken to the land of Canaan. Who would be in a better position to make sure that his wish would be carried out than his influential son, Joseph?

The account states: "So [Jacob] called his son Joseph and said to him: 'If, now, i have found favor in your eyes, . . .you must exercise loving-kindness and trustworthiness toward me. (Please, do not bury me in Egypt.) And I must lie with my fathers, and you must carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their grave.' " (Genesis 47:29, 30) Joseph promised to comply with this request, and shortly thereafter Jacob died. Joseph and Jacob's other sons carried his body "into the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, the field that Abraham had purchased." (Genesis 50:5-8, 12-14) Thus Joseph exercised loving-kindness toward his father.

Next time: Loving-Kindness From A Daughter-in-Law

Watchtower, 2002