When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people. Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. Genesis 49:33-50:3
Why would the Egyptians mourn over Jacob’s death for 70 days? Was it required? Was it truly their collective emotional response to his absence? Or perhaps it was out of respect for Joseph. But still. . .
Seventy days were how long people mourned the death of a Pharaoh and Jacob was not a pharaoh. He was not even an Egyptian! To further complicate this ~ Egypt did not value Israelites. They were considered peculiar, truly outsiders.
Did Joseph rule so well that people automatically loved his father too? Whom Joseph loved, they loved? I suppose that’s possible. This one thing is certain ~ For seventeen years Jacob lived in Egypt. He was visible, a powerful presence and he left an indelible mark on the people.
I am wide-eyed over this, and conjecture is all I have to address my many questions.
Fill each of us with Your Spirit so that we make such an impact for the kingdom. Amen
christinewyrtzen.com 
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