In Genesis 49, Jacob is prophesying over each of his sons, telling them of their future. The last verse of this chapter reads like this… “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.”

Note that “Jacob” died.

The very next verse leads into chapter 50 with Joseph falling upon his father’s face weeping, and verse 2 says this… “And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.”

Note that the physicians embalmed, “Israel”.

Previously, Jacob had an encounter with the angel of the Lord at the brook of Jabbok that resulted in his name change. God saw something special in him that was not fit for a Jacob… he needed a new name… one that would fit his new destiny. No longer a supplanter, a deceiver, a liar, but now one who had power with God and men and prevails.

“Jacob” died, but “Israel” was preserved. Jacob must pass, and Israel must continue.

We must preserve the Promise.

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