Read Genesis 49 and 50 Digging His Own Grave After Jacob dies, Joseph approaches Pharaoh seeking permission to bury the old patriarch. Joseph says to Pharaoh, 5 My father made me swear, saying, 'Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me' (Gen. 50:5b). Jacob dug his own grave! We use a similar expression to say that someone is digging his own grave, and that is because the person is doing something bad. With Jacob, this is not the case. He makes proper preparations for his burial, which included actually digging his grave. Can you imagine digging your own grave? It would certainly drive home the point that you are not going to live forever. If we do not dig our own graves, do we avoid death? Death is a reality no matter what we do to try to avoid it. This may not be a pleasant thought for the day, but ask yourself whether you are prepared to die. If not, find out why not. Do what you can to make the time of your death easier for your family, and be prepared to meet your God. Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100 http://www.plymouth-church.com/dons_corner2.html http://associate.com/groups/emaildevotionals/