"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 48:1-22
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 48:8,9
"Then Israel saw Joseph's sons, and said, "Who are these?" Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place." And he said, "Please bring them to me, and I will bless them."
As we open Chapter 48, Joseph knew the end of Jacob's life was approaching, but the news was that he was sick. We will see in today's reading that this Chapter contains a theme that we have read about in the Book of Genesis of two competing sons. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-28), Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38:27-30). God works in ways different from the ordinary and expected course of events.
Jacob when Joseph comes to see him, recalls God's appearances to him and His promises to his family. The adoption of Manasseth and Ephraim had lasting consequences. First , it made it possible to set aside the tribe of Levi to serve God, and still maintain a 12 tribe division of the promised land. Second it changed the structure of tribal authority. Reuben, though firstborn, forfeited his birthday right by his sin with Bilhah. Ephraim, Joseph's second son was given Reuben's tribal headship. Joseph was raised to personal power, received the predicted homage of his brothers, and saw his two sons adopted and given a prominent place as founders of two of the future nation's strongest tribes.
Jacob then talks to Joseph about the love of his life his mother Rachel who died giving birth to his brother Benjamin. Jacob recalls his grief at the thought of Joseph's death and his joy at being able to see him again in this life. Now he was not only able to see Joseph again he would get to see Joseph's sons as well.
Joseph then presents his sons before his father. He places his fathers right hand so that it would
rest on the older son and his left hand on the youngest. But Jacob deliberately reversed his hands, putting Ephraim first. Jacob in his blessing reaffirmed his great faith in the Living God. Jacob wanted Joseph's two sons to inherit the blessing God gave to Abraham, Isaac and himself.
Joseph realized that his fathers right hand was on the wrong son, and tried to fix this but Jacob knew completely what he was doing. Once again God overturned the expected order of things. The older would serve the younger just as Jacob himself had been elevated over his brother so long ago. Jacob then promises Joseph that he would return to the land of Canaan. This promise would be fulfilled after Joseph's death.
In the closing verses of Chapter 48 Jacob by blessings Joseph's sons on the same level as his own sons gave to Joseph the double share.
Closing Question and Comment: "Do you expect God's blessings?" Jacob expresses the wonder of something we all experience. God is so good. He showers blessings on us that we never expected, and that we surely do not deserve.
Today's Hymn: "Blessed Assurance"
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your continued blessings that you bestow upon those that have trusted and believed in you. Thank you that because of Jesus we are heir's of salvation, purchased of God and we are born of Your Spirit and washed in his blood.
Amen
"Why remain in bondage to persons or practices who do not really care about you"
Today's Daily Bible Verse at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com if from Hebrews 13:5,6.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness. Love God More Today and always remember that when you a have a spiritual defeat in your day and you yell out, "I CAN'T", God whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 48:1-22
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 48:8,9
"Then Israel saw Joseph's sons, and said, "Who are these?" Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place." And he said, "Please bring them to me, and I will bless them."
As we open Chapter 48, Joseph knew the end of Jacob's life was approaching, but the news was that he was sick. We will see in today's reading that this Chapter contains a theme that we have read about in the Book of Genesis of two competing sons. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-28), Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38:27-30). God works in ways different from the ordinary and expected course of events.
Jacob when Joseph comes to see him, recalls God's appearances to him and His promises to his family. The adoption of Manasseth and Ephraim had lasting consequences. First , it made it possible to set aside the tribe of Levi to serve God, and still maintain a 12 tribe division of the promised land. Second it changed the structure of tribal authority. Reuben, though firstborn, forfeited his birthday right by his sin with Bilhah. Ephraim, Joseph's second son was given Reuben's tribal headship. Joseph was raised to personal power, received the predicted homage of his brothers, and saw his two sons adopted and given a prominent place as founders of two of the future nation's strongest tribes.
Jacob then talks to Joseph about the love of his life his mother Rachel who died giving birth to his brother Benjamin. Jacob recalls his grief at the thought of Joseph's death and his joy at being able to see him again in this life. Now he was not only able to see Joseph again he would get to see Joseph's sons as well.
Joseph then presents his sons before his father. He places his fathers right hand so that it would
rest on the older son and his left hand on the youngest. But Jacob deliberately reversed his hands, putting Ephraim first. Jacob in his blessing reaffirmed his great faith in the Living God. Jacob wanted Joseph's two sons to inherit the blessing God gave to Abraham, Isaac and himself.
Joseph realized that his fathers right hand was on the wrong son, and tried to fix this but Jacob knew completely what he was doing. Once again God overturned the expected order of things. The older would serve the younger just as Jacob himself had been elevated over his brother so long ago. Jacob then promises Joseph that he would return to the land of Canaan. This promise would be fulfilled after Joseph's death.
In the closing verses of Chapter 48 Jacob by blessings Joseph's sons on the same level as his own sons gave to Joseph the double share.
Closing Question and Comment: "Do you expect God's blessings?" Jacob expresses the wonder of something we all experience. God is so good. He showers blessings on us that we never expected, and that we surely do not deserve.
Today's Hymn: "Blessed Assurance"
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your continued blessings that you bestow upon those that have trusted and believed in you. Thank you that because of Jesus we are heir's of salvation, purchased of God and we are born of Your Spirit and washed in his blood.
Amen
"Why remain in bondage to persons or practices who do not really care about you"
Today's Daily Bible Verse at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com if from Hebrews 13:5,6.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness. Love God More Today and always remember that when you a have a spiritual defeat in your day and you yell out, "I CAN'T", God whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".
Yours in Christ,
Cindi
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