Jan 29: Genesis 48-50

 Jan 29, Genesis 48-50

 Jan 29, Genesis 48-50

Genesis 48 Jacob is sick and dying. Regardless of his declining health, he gathers his strength and sits up in bed and he reminds Joseph of the promises that God gave to him and his fathers about their offspring. Jacob then proceeds to bless Joseph’s sons. Not only was Jacob’s health declining, his eyesight was not good. Jacob embraced both boys and placed the greater blessing (the birthright) on the younger son - intentionally. Joseph seeing that the mistake was being made, even tried to correct his Dad. Listen to this observation - “Joseph, like so many others (and like many of us), expected God to work in a certain way, but found that He is often pleased to work differently and sometimes even unconventionally.” (BNCommentary) Do you see that in your own life? How you originally thought it should go, even what is culturally correct, and it didn’t happen that way? God is working! Also from the Bible Knowledge Commentary it states, “For four consecutive generations this re-versed pattern was followed: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh.” Interesting isn’t it, that God’s ways are not always the obvious, conventional ways, instead they are opposite of what we think they should be. When will we start paying attention, to the fact that God will do things His way?  We need to realize that He wants to do thing for His purposes and for His Glory in His time.

Genesis 49 Jacob, the Patriarch, calls together and blesses all 12 of his sons - please don’t just scan or skim over this! If you have not read the OT (Old Testament) before, this may seem like crazy old school boring history talk. But, we will be referring to this through parts of the OT, as it is significant. I will not break down here all of the prophetic (predictive writings given by God through man to man). I will highlight for you that Jacob does bless each of his sons. He condemns Reuben for sleeping with one of Jacob’s servant wives. He has rich blessings and emphasis on the royal line of Judah and the lineage of Joseph. But, you just read through the list of the 12 tribes of Israel and not all of their futures are butterflies and rainbows. Each blessing was suitable for each man and an idea of what his future tribe would hold. After the blessings, Jacob’s final wish was that he be buried with his fathers, where Abraham bought a cave for Sarah. 

Genesis 50 closes up the book of Genesis. Jacob dies with his family around him. Joseph, being in Egypt, has his father embalmed as was customary Egyptian culture (not Hebrew). Interesting that Jacob, was called Israel here. As if his legacy is now starting and the name, Israel, is revealing to the future of the Hebrews. When Israel died, even the Egyptians wept and mourned for over 2 months. After that, Joseph brought his father to Abraham’s cave to bury him (with Pharaoh’s permission). The brothers were nervous that now that Jacob had died that Joseph was going to take revenge on them. So the brothers make up a story that the dead father’s wishes was for Joseph to forgive them. But this saddened Joseph, as his heart wasn’t bitter against his brothers past sins, that were against him. And instead of harsh words, Joseph has some wise things to say; and included are some of my favorite Scripture: “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” Which in this statement, you learn a lot about God. People can mean things for evil, but God can mean it for good. Interesting thought, isn’t it. 

At the end, Joseph dies too at 110 years of age. He too was embalmed and made his brothers promise to bring him to be buried with his father, one day.

To sum it all up:

God’s plans vs mans plans

• Do you expect God to work in certain ways via certain prayers or certain circumstances? Well, stop it. God is a God of mystery at times and works things out for a much greater plan!
• Genesis covers creation and the beginning. Genesis also covers some of the unveilings of the promises of God. But it doesn’t stop there. And we will see in the next book of the Bible, how the promises of God continue and how He takes care of those He calls - His own.
• Congratulations, you just finished 2 books of the Bible. Job and Genesis. This journey is, like the name of the current book you just finished, Genesis, means the origins or the Beginning… so stay with me on this epic journey reading through God’s Word as we are just in the beginning of finding our how Great our God is.