Genesis 50:1-12

Jacob died believing that death was the end of it all. God had not yet revealed there is life after death. How do we value a life if death is the end? What is the evidence that Jacob lived a good life?

Jacob died a rich man and he left a great estate. Many wicked men have died rich. Wealth is not evidence of goodness.

Jacob had an expensive funeral. Embalming was not cheap. It was not something that ordinary people could afford. Pharaoh’s officials and all the dignitaries of Egypt attended his funeral. We know a large and expensive funeral is not proof of a good life.

Jacob left behind a large family. He had twelve sons, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was head of a large household. Bad people can reproduce. A large family is not proof of a good life.

The Egyptians mourned his passing for seventy days. The Israelites mourned him for seven days. We cannot know the nature of a person’s life by how long others mourn their death.

As a young man Jacob made some bad choices, as he grew older his life became righteous. Jacob’s life itself became the proof that his was a good life.

We know that there is life after death. God was waiting for Jacob when he died. God reveals the true value of our lives when we meet Him face to face.