Jacob's blessing - Genesis 48:15-22

Jacob's blessing - Genesis 48:15-22

When I say 'blessing', Jacob comes to mind. He is a man who deceives his family and wrestles with God's messengers for the sake of good fortune. Today's text is about Jacob, who has lived his life according to the blessings God has given him, blessing his descendants ahead of his death.

 

When we are with God, we walk together. This is not ups and downs of faith. Faith in ups and downs refers to faith that leads to blessings after losing God, but Jacob became a person of blessing because he followed God's refinement and guidance throughout his life. I hope that Jacob's blessing will be yours.

 

1. Jacob was blessed with thanksgiving.

Jacob confessed to Pharaoh that he had gone through difficult years. However, when he comes to his deathbed, he confesses that he is a God who serves, a God who nourishes, and a God who delivers. It is to return all the work of the past to the grace of God. Many things in the world are very difficult and painful at the time, but as time passes, everything is God's grace and thanks. That is why sometimes things didn't go according to the will, but it is also thanks to God's will.

 

Moreover, although we were people who died in our sins and transgressions and would go into the fire of hell, we received atonement for the merit of Jesus, who shed His blood on our behalf, and became children of God. There is no one in the world without wounds. But when it is revealed by God's guidance, everything becomes thanksgiving. Blessings contain such a principle.

 

God gives more to those who have. Those who give thanks have something to be thankful for, and those who complain have reason to keep complaining. “Remember what God has done, and do not forget, for man has praised his work” (Job 36:24). God always blesses those who live with thanksgiving.

 

2. Jacob spoke a blessed word.

On his deathbed, Jacob blessed his descendants with blessed words. In fact, as the years pass, their descendants will live according to Jacob's blessing. Human language is capable. Words can save people and sometimes kill people. Please say good things.

 

Blessed children recognize the God who gives blessings, not their own hard work, and do not leave God. Even after things go well, they will seek God. Blessing is not simply a blessing, but an education in faith. If we give our blessings, our children will not despise us even in our later years when we run out of strength.

Because parents have the power to bless. When Jacob blessed Joseph, I gave him the land of Shechem, which I have taken from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and bow. But Jacob did not make war with them.

 

This is Jacob's declaration of faith. However, as the years passed, in the book of Joshua, when the sons of Joseph were dividing the land, they developed a mountainous area to cover a large number of people, and the land became Shechem. Many miracles in the Bible happen through the words of faith. With the Word, curses, diseases, and even Satan are defeated. Like Jacob, please use words of blessing, words of faith.

 

3. Jacob had the eyes to recognize the vessel of blessing.

As Jacob lived a difficult life, he realized that all of these things were because he had prepared a vessel for God to bless him. God is the one who blesses the places He has chosen to bless. And they will be tried with vessels worthy of blessing. Blessing is the sovereignty of God. According to the Bible, it is a society that favors the firstborn, but in many cases the descendants who are not the firstborn inherit the blessing. Blessing is the sovereignty of God.

 

God is not bound by human law and is the God of truth who always transcends human law. But God is looking for the humble. (1 Corinthians 1:21) Also, the proud are chosen like Saul, but they are rejected. God gave greater blessings to the second Ephraim than to the first Manasseh, but as they constantly torment Judah, God, who will send the Messiah through Judah, judges Ephraim in order to restore spiritual order. In this way, God leaves those who become proud and do not know grace. Do not limit God to social conventions and common sense, but always give thanks for God's grace and longing for God's work.

 

Question

1. Let's confess the things we are thankful for to God now.

2. Let's think about the complaints in the past and share the causes. And let's proclaim it in words of blessing.

3. Let's think about God's grace in our lives and prepare a vessel with a humble heart to hope for God again.