Three burials are mentioned in this final chapter of Genesis, and each is significant.
《创世记》的最后一章提到了三个葬礼，每个都具有意义。
Burying a Beloved Father 埋葬敬爱的父亲
It is instructive to contrast the simple Jewish funerals with the elaborate burial customs of the Egyptians. There is certainly nothing wrong with caring for the body and expressing grief, so long as we keep things in perspective. Jacob died in faith and was a pilgrim to the very end. He started with his staff and ended with his staff (32:10, Heb 11:21; 1 Tim. 6:6).
能够识别简单的犹太葬礼和夸张奢侈的埃及葬礼是非常具有教育性的。照顾身体与表达悲痛肯定没有什么不妥的，只要我们保持正确的态度。雅各在信心里死去，由始至终都是一个客旅（来11:21）。他拿着杖开始旅程，并扶着杖头而死（32:10，来11:21；前提 6:6）。
Burying the Past 埋葬过去
Joseph’s brothers did not really believe that Joseph had forgiven them, even though they had heard his words, seen his tears, felt his kisses, and received his gifts (45:1–15). Like the prodigal son, they offered to work their way into his favor (Luke 15:19). Their attitude grieved Joseph, who had endured so much for them, just as we grieve our Lord when we doubt His forgiveness and love (Rom. 8:31–39).
约瑟的兄弟没有完全相信约瑟已经原谅自己，即使他们已经听见他的话、看到他的眼泪、碰到他的吻，并收到他的礼物（45:1-15）。如浪子一样，他们想通过劳碌赎回自己，取悦约瑟（路15:19）。他们的态度使约瑟难过，毕竟他为他们忍受了许多苦。这就如当我们怀疑主的宽恕和爱时，祂也感到忧愁（罗8:31-39）。
Burying a Devoted Brother 埋葬忠心的弟兄
Like his father, Joseph knew what he believed and where he belonged. If we consider all the difficulties he had experienced in life, it is remarkable that Joseph had any faith at all. He knew God’s promise to Abraham that the nation would be delivered from Egypt (15:12–16), and he reiterated that promise to his family. Joseph had brought them to Egypt and cared for them in Egypt. His coffin reminded them that God would bring them out of Egypt. What an encouragement that was during the dark days of their bondage. Our encouragement today is not a coffin but an empty tomb (1 Pet. 1:3ff.).
如父亲一样，约瑟知道他所信的及他所属的地方。我们若查看约瑟一生所经历的困难，的确很难相信约瑟仍然保存着信心。他知道神曾应许亚伯拉罕说以色列将脱离埃及（15:12-16），而且约瑟也家人重申了这应许。约瑟把他们带到埃及，并在那里照顾他们。他的棺木提醒着他们，神终有一日必领他们出埃及。这对他们在黑暗为奴的日子来说是一份很大的安慰和鼓励。今天，我们的鼓励并不来自一具棺材，而是一个空墓（彼前1:3）。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Jacob’s “last witness and testimony” was a beautiful revelation of the gracious Lord who had cared for His servant for so many years (48:15). When Jacob knew that his days were numbered, he wanted to be sure that he would be buried in the Promised Land and not in Egypt. Like Jacob, Joseph’s last concern was for his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah to which the Lord gave the land to Abraham (Gen. 23). Joseph was truly a pilgrim to the very end of his life. Do we know where we belong (Phil 3:20)?
雅各“最后的见证”启示的是那位多年照顾仆人，而且满有恩典的神（48:15）。当雅各知道自己的日子不多时，他要确保自己将被葬在应许之地而不是埃及。约瑟也是一样，他最所挂心的是要儿子把自己埋葬在麦比拉洞，即主所应许亚伯拉罕的土地（创23）。约瑟到最后一直都是一位真正的客旅。你知道自己真正的归属吗（腓3:20）？
- The second burial was the burial of the past. Forgiveness is to let go and not to remember the past. Joseph not only forgave his brothers, but he also assured them of his constant care. “I will nourish you, and your little ones” (Gen. 50:21). He gave them homes to live in, work to do, food to eat and provision for their needs. Once again, we see here a picture of our Savior, who promises never to leave us or forsake us (Matt. 28:20; John 6:37; 10:27–29; Heb. 13:5–6) and to meet our every need (Rom. 8:32; Phil. 4:19).
第二个葬礼是对“过去”的埋葬。宽恕是放下，同时不再追究过去。约瑟不仅原谅了兄弟，还向他们保证他将持续照料他们。 “现在你们不要害怕，我必养活你们和你们的妇人孩子”（创50:21）。他供予住的地方，给他们工作做，给他们食物吃，并提供他们所需的一切。我们再次看到救主的画面，因祂应许永不离开或丢弃我们（太28:20，约6:37,10:27-29，来13:5-6），并满足我们一切所需（罗8:32；腓4:19）。
