Today we come to Joseph, one of the giants of faith in the Old Testament era. What child raised in a godly home does not remember Joseph and his coat of many colors? His story dominates Genesis 37-50. In fact, my favorite verse in Genesis involves Joseph: "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" (50:20). 

Now today's verse: "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Heb. 11:22:NIV). Isn't it interesting that the writer of Hebrews selects this portion of Joseph's life to mention his faith in God? "By faith Joseph when his end was near..." This shows us that Joseph's faith was constant and that he never gave up believing in God. I think of how his faith must have been tested when his own brothers threw him in a pit and left him to die. And how his faith was once again put to the test when he was thrown in prison on false accusations by Mrs. Potiphar (I like to call her Mrs. "Pot O' Fire" because she was hot for Joseph!). Herbert Lockyer, in his great little book Their Finest Hour, says that this was Joseph's fine hour of refusal. Our Christian character is made (or broken) in moments like this. Indeed, this may have been Joseph's finest hour. But I am struck that the writer chooses his sunset years to recall his faith: "when his end was near."

Let us all be faithful, even unto death (Rev. 2:10).

Hymn: "Faith of our fathers! living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword; O how our hearts beat high with joy Whene'er we hear that glorious word! Faith of our fathers, holy faith, we will be true to thee till death" (Frederick W. Faber)