Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Genesis 48-50

Today in Genesis 48 we see Jacob’s last days. The family is called in and Joseph introduces his two sons born in a foreign land by an Egyptian. Jacob loves them as his own son and adopts them. He gives them his blessing as sons. He blessed Ephriam first and said He would be greater than His older brother Menasseh. These priestly blessings in Genesis were coveted by sons and considered prophetic. Ephriam and Menasseh became two tribes of Israel and Joseph became the father of those tribes.

In 49 He then blessed the rest of his sons (or spoke truth about their future). Jacob describes the immense blessings of God to his sons who had pure Godly hearts. The message was different to the ones whose behavior in life revealed a heart problem. We must all examine ourselves and see how our response to God has impacted on our life.
“Jacob breathed his last breath and was gathered to His people.” (NIV)

In Chapter 50 we see him being embalmed for 40 days and being returned to be buried in Canaan as Jacob has requested. All of Pharaoh’s officials and dignitaries accompanied them. Then we get a true picture of forgiveness as Joseph’s brothers begged for it out of fear. Joseph had no reason to forgive them for what they had done. They certainly did not deserve it, yet He chose forgiveness. It takes a close walk with the Lord to understand real forgiveness, and to look at the trials and suffering as God’s providence. Sometimes it’s hard to look back and admit that. True forgiveness brings healing. In chapter 41 God helped to comfort Joseph by giving him a family and allowing Him to forget his father’s family. We see here where God healed the hurt and allowed his entire family to be reunited. Only God can do that. To bring true healing we must start by forgiving ourselves and then the ones who God shows us.

Tomorrow I intend to read Exodus 1-3

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