DEATHBED VOWS
Genesis 47:29-31
"When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called Joseph and said to him, 'Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in the burial place.' And he said, 'I will do as you have said.' Then he said, 'Swear to me' and he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of his bed."
I can understand Jacob's desire to have his final resting place be with his forefathers in the family cemetery plot in Canaan. I have the same desire. My wish is that I would be buried next to my mother and father in the family plot in Oregon. Please, do not bury me in Arizona. That being said, I don't think it is wise for a dying person to require family members to make vows. Vows only bring a sense of guilt that the surviving person will carry the rest of his life, especially if he is not able to fulfill it. Lord, help me to not put burdens on my children that would cause them guilt.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Deathbed vows put burdens on the remaining family members that are sometimes not healthy.
[end]
Have a "guilt-free" day. Love you.
Genesis 47:29-31
"When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called Joseph and said to him, 'Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in the burial place.' And he said, 'I will do as you have said.' Then he said, 'Swear to me' and he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of his bed."
I can understand Jacob's desire to have his final resting place be with his forefathers in the family cemetery plot in Canaan. I have the same desire. My wish is that I would be buried next to my mother and father in the family plot in Oregon. Please, do not bury me in Arizona. That being said, I don't think it is wise for a dying person to require family members to make vows. Vows only bring a sense of guilt that the surviving person will carry the rest of his life, especially if he is not able to fulfill it. Lord, help me to not put burdens on my children that would cause them guilt.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Deathbed vows put burdens on the remaining family members that are sometimes not healthy.
[end]
Have a "guilt-free" day. Love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment