The Anticipated Canaan

Joseph lives a transcendent life because of his relationship with God. Jacob, his father, seems to realize that Joseph can never be the beneficiary of his legacy. He dwells on another plane. Though he is no longer “dead”, Jacob curiously no longer has anything to offer Joseph. Instead, there is the almost unnatural case where the son is a benefactor to the father. Jacob, and all the rest of his sons, would be dead without the largesse of Joseph.

Despite the splendor and salvation of Egypt, this isn’t Jacob’s life. It’s not what God has called him to. He wants to return to the land that God forbid his father, Isaac, from ever leaving.

This is his legacy to his sons. As one whose life has transcended this legacy, Joseph can never return to this simplicity. Joseph could travel back to Canaan, but he could never return to this previous way of life. He will participate in the legacy of Israel only vicariously through the lives of his sons.

He will participate in the legacy of Israel only vicariously through the lives of his sons.