Finish Well - Genesis 44-47

Genesis 47:29-31 (ESV)

And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

Jacob (Israel) was concerned about honoring God right up to his death and burial.  Running the path of belief is not one where you slow down or stop at the end. When I ran track in high school the track coach would say, “Run right through the tape at the finish line as though you had to break down a wall.  Don’t slow as you reach the line, run through it with the same energy you started the race.”

Abraham did this:

Hebrews 11:8-10 (ESV)

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Paul did this:

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

When we come to the end we need to make sure, by faith, we finish the race. 

Jesus did that:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I should do this!!!