Carry My Bones

The Story

Joseph had lived an extraordinary life. Sold into slavery by his brothers, he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt and saved his family from famine. Now he was 110 years old and dying.

His family was comfortable in Egypt. They had land, food, and the protection of Pharaoh. But Joseph knew Egypt wasn’t home.

He called his brothers together. “I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land.” Then he made them swear an unusual oath. When God brings you out, he said, carry my bones with you.

Joseph died, and they embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

Years went by. Then centuries. Joseph’s family grew into a nation, and a new Pharaoh made them slaves. Generation after generation lived and died in Egypt. And Joseph’s coffin waited.

About four hundred years later, God sent Moses, and Israel finally walked out of Egypt. In the middle of the rush, Moses remembered. “And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him.”

After forty more years in the wilderness and many battles in the Promised Land, Israel buried Joseph’s bones at Shechem, in the land God had promised.

Reflection