By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped them as he leaned on the top of his staff. Hebrews 11:21
Do you believe that we can do all things through Christ? Last we looked at five other people in the Hall of Faith. Jacob is another man in the Hall of Faith. These are people who are just like you and me. They are flesh and blood mortals who believed God over what they saw and felt.
Let’s continue! Read Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 48. Jacob also has another name that God gave him – Israel. Do you see any similarities between this record and the previous record of Isaac’s blessing on Esau and Jacob? Hopefully, you saw many. First, however, let’s look at the blessing. Normally the blessing is reserved for the firstborn, but here it went to the secondborn. How did Israel demonstrate which grandson was receiving the dominant blessing? Even though there was a similarity, are there any different circumstances? Was there any trickery or deception used in this reversal of blessing?
Are you a rule follower? I am. I like rules for the most part, yes sometimes I’m not particularly eager to follow certain rules. But, God can do whatever he likes that is keeping within His character. In this particular family, God had a different plan for both sets of sons, Esau and Jacob, then Ephraim and Manasseh. What is important in this passage is that when God is prompting something out of the ordinary, we don’t have to manipulate it to make things happen and cause people to accept it.
Do you have any similar stories? Read Genesis 48:5-6. Jacob/Israel didn’t intend to take the boys from their father. His intentions were not to take these boys from their father. Instead, he intended to make Ephraim and Manasseh be among his sons and also become heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. What was Joseph’s reaction in verse 17? Did Jacob/Israel budge?
Jacob was very much convinced that the will and the dependability of God’s plan that he was willing to displease his beloved son. But, on the other hand, Jacob could have also obliged to do as Joseph wished. After all, it was Jacob’s son that had saved them all from the famine.
At the most challenging moment of his life, what are we told about Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, in Genesis 22:5? Some of us are already grandparents, going to be grandparents, or still waiting on that season of life. This is a wonderful example to keep tucked in our hearts when it’s our time.
Read Ephesians 1:3. What does this teach us about a person who God blesses? First, God’s blessing is one of the most important reasons we can do all things through Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your plans and your will. Thank you for being in control of all things. I pray that we will have faith to follow through with what you ask of us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
