It wasn't a simple affair, that's for sure. The Bible tells us he died in Egypt, surrounded by his family. But getting him back to the land promised to his ancestors? That was a whole other story.
According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Pharaoh, the very ruler of Egypt, issued a rather intense decree. Imagine a royal edict going out to every corner of the land, stating, in no uncertain terms, that anyone who didn't join Joseph and his brothers on their trek to Canaan would face… death! Talk about a royal send-off.
Because of this decree, the procession following Jacob's bier wasn’t just a small family affair. No, no. It was a massive, impressive, and slightly intimidating parade made up of Egyptian princes, nobles, and even the common folk. Everyone, it seems, wanted to be on the right side of Pharaoh's orders.
And who carried the bier? None other than Jacob's own sons. Out of respect for his wishes, even their children weren’t allowed to touch it. That’s how seriously they took his instructions.
Now, picture this: the bier itself. It wasn't a simple wooden box. Oh no. It was fashioned of pure gold. Pure gold! The edges were inlaid with precious onyx stones and something called bdellium – a fragrant resin. The cover was woven gold, attached with threads held together by hooks made of, you guessed it, more onyx and bdellium. Can you imagine the craftsmanship? The sheer wealth on display?
But the most striking detail? Joseph, in a final act of love and respect, placed a large golden crown upon his father's head and a golden sceptre in his hand, arraying him like a living king. Like a living king!
It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? A man who had lived a life of both incredible hardship and profound faith, now being honored as royalty, even in death. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, about the power of legacy, of family, and of keeping promises, even across generations. What does it mean to truly honor those who came before us? And what kind of legacy will we leave behind?