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teleiotes (12: 2), "the Author and Finisher (Perfecter) of faith";
teleutao (11: 22), "Joseph when he died";
telos (6: 11), "hope unto the end".
It would not be true to say that teleutao necessarily carries with it the idea of
perfecting, for it is used of the death of Herod (Matt. 2: 19), and the punishment of the
law-breaker (Matt. 15: 4), as well as of the death of David (Acts 2: 29), Jacob
(Acts 7: 15) and Joseph (Heb. 11: 22). Yet, seeing how closely the theme of Hebrews is
interwoven with this word, it is possible that it was used with intent, because of what was
to be written immediately afterward.
The exodus.
What Joseph particularly remembered when near the close of his life, was the
"departing of the children of Israel", or, as the original has it, "the exodus". "Made
mention" is perhaps better rendered "remembered" as the margin suggests. In what way
could Joseph have "remembered" the exodus of Israel? The actual deliverance at the
Passover did not take place for nearly two centuries after his death. He is said to have
remembered this exodus "by faith", and therefore must have known and believed some
"word of God" (Rom. 10: 17). It is very evident that the promise of Gen. 15: was
believed by Joseph, and he realized that his own imprisonment and elevation to the
throne, the coming of his brethren and their settlement in Egypt were all parts of one
great whole. The basis of Joseph's faith reads as follows:
"And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land
that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge; and afterward shall they come
out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried
in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15: 13-16).
Joseph, surely, was one of those witnesses who "died in faith, not having received the
promise", but who nevertheless saw it afar off and was persuaded of it. There is no
murmuring when his time comes to die, but just a confident assurance that God will keep
His word:
"And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring
you out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and
ye shall carry up my bones from hence" (Gen. 50: 24, 25).
Twice in this small compass we have the expression "visiting He will visit", the
Hebrew figure denoting emphasis and certainty. Joseph knew that bondage and affliction
awaited Israel, yet who more fitted to speak confidently than himself? Had not Joseph
endured sorrow and reproach? Is it not written of him: "Whose feet they hurt with
fetters; he was laid in iron"? (Psa. 105: 18). Nevertheless, the Lord had kept His word of
promise to Joseph, and so He would keep His covenant with His servant Abraham also.
In the exodus Joseph would have no conscious part, for he knew that his hour had come.