Gen 47:8 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?

In Genesis 47, we see Jacob’s family settling down in Goshen. Pharaoh was pleased to see his family members, especially the patriarch Jacob. He asked how old Jacob was. Jacob replied: “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been” (v.9). Like Jacob, we should think of life in these ways – a pilgrimage, short, and full of troubles. 1. Life is a pilgrimage. “Pilgrimage” has the idea of a sojourning, wandering without any constant abode or fixed dwelling. It was the life of the patriarchs in the land of promise; they did not have a fixed dwelling but they looked forward to an eternal home in heaven (Hebrews 11:13-16). Like the patriarchs, we must think of life on this earth as a journey. And, like any journey, this journey has a destination. Our destination is heaven. It is our end point. Unlike many in this world who do not know where they are heading, as Christians we know where we are heading. Paul wrote: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Does your journey take you to heaven? (2 Timothy 4:8). 2. Life is short. Though Jacob had now lived 130 years; they seemed to him but as a few days. They were few in comparison of the days of many of his ancestors, and especially when compared to eternity. What is 1000 years when compared to eternity? One day! (2 Peter 3:8). James says our life is like a vapour that appears only for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:14). A rich fool who had many plans for his life ahead did not know he was going to die that very night (Luke 12:20). Unfortunately, many live as if they will have many more years ahead. But the truth is, every day, thousands all over the world die unexpectedly. Just ask the almost 3000 folks who worked in the twin towers of World Trade Centre in New York city before the buildings collapsed on that fateful day, September 11 2001. They didn’t know that day would be their last day on this earth. Most were young and had wonderful plans for the future. Some perhaps had plans to marry that weekend or the next year. Some would have plans to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries that evening. Some would have plans for vacations. Some women would have wonderful plans for their babies to be delivered. Sadly, none of those plans could be fulfilled. Brethren, life is short; plan for eternity today (Hebrews 9:27). 3. Life is full of troubles. Jacob said his days were evil. The “evil” refers to the troubles in his life. Indeed, his life had been filled with much trouble. First, he beguiled his brother of the birthright and the blessing and had to flee for his life. Later, he was deceived by his father-in-law and served him twenty years for his wives and sheep. His only daughter was raped and his sons massacred a whole city to avenge her dishonour. His son Reuben committed incest with one of his concubines. His children ganged up and sold his favourite son. His family suffered in the famine. Job says: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Therefore, don’t expect life to be a red-carpet reception. Many faithful men of God in the Bible did not have a good life carved out for them, so neither should we expect one. Instead, expect afflictions and trials: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). This world is not our home. We are just pilgrims on this earth, heading towards the heavenly city. We will have to cross valleys and mountains. But we must press on because the destination is worth it all (Revelation 22:1-5).