Genesis 50:1-26
There are three main events that take place: Jacob's burial, the brothers' forgiveness, and Joseph's final requests.
Jacob's directions were followed to the letter - Pharaoh even gave Joseph time off to bury him.
The brothers began to realize that, with Jacob gone, there was nothing to prevent Joseph from exacting retribution. He didn't, though. He forgavethe brothers mercifully & kindly.
Lastly, Joseph asked that his body be taken to the promised land when the others and their descendants leave. He asked that he be dug up before they leave and later found.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
15 Mar 2012 - Genesis 49:29-33
Genesis 49:29-33
"Jacob's Burial Instructions"
Here we see Jacob's last request: to be buried back in Canaan. The reason he gives is that his father, grandfather, wife (Leah - Rachel was buried elsewhere, earlier), mother, and grandmother are buried there.
There is, I think, another reason. I think another reason for this request would be a desire to be buried in the land promised to him and his descendants. He wanted to be in the centre of God's plan even after his death; that is how much he desired God towards the end of his life. As I mentioned before, though, this is only a speculative guess at another, unmentioned reason.
Still, we should be living looking towards God, seeking to be in the centre of His will and plans.
"Jacob's Burial Instructions"
Here we see Jacob's last request: to be buried back in Canaan. The reason he gives is that his father, grandfather, wife (Leah - Rachel was buried elsewhere, earlier), mother, and grandmother are buried there.
There is, I think, another reason. I think another reason for this request would be a desire to be buried in the land promised to him and his descendants. He wanted to be in the centre of God's plan even after his death; that is how much he desired God towards the end of his life. As I mentioned before, though, this is only a speculative guess at another, unmentioned reason.
Still, we should be living looking towards God, seeking to be in the centre of His will and plans.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
14 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 49:1-28
Genesis 49:1-28
"Jacob's Last Words"
Here, Jacob is blessing his sons with what verse 28 describes as a "suitable blessing". The odd thing is, each of these blessings or forecastings occurred. Weird, no? It goes to show how much God is outside of time and how much He works and directs our paths, even surrounding it.
He also spoke about their pasts when he gave the blessing and punished those necessary (Reuben, Simeon & Levi) with a fair punishment
"Jacob's Last Words"
Here, Jacob is blessing his sons with what verse 28 describes as a "suitable blessing". The odd thing is, each of these blessings or forecastings occurred. Weird, no? It goes to show how much God is outside of time and how much He works and directs our paths, even surrounding it.
He also spoke about their pasts when he gave the blessing and punished those necessary (Reuben, Simeon & Levi) with a fair punishment
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
13 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 48:13-22
Genesis 48:13-22
"Ephraim's Greater Blessing"
So, here we have an interesting, prophetic situation (well, I'm not sure whether to say prophetic or causative). Jacob is about to bless Manasseh & Ephraim (Manasseh is the elder of the two). Joseph lines them up such that Manasseh is on Jacob's right and Ephraim on his left. Then, Jacob goes and "messes things up", or at least in Joseph's eyes. Jacob crosses his arms and places his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh (The right hand is the hand of stronger blessing in this instance).
When asked why this was done, Jacob answered , saying that Ephraim would grow to be a greater, more populous nation. As to the prophetic/causative issue. I am not sure whether Jacob was foretelling Ephraim's future or whether he caused the more blessed future of Ephraim over Manasseh. Regardless, It is evident that God's hand was in play, guiding Jacob to say what he did in the manner he did.
"Ephraim's Greater Blessing"
So, here we have an interesting, prophetic situation (well, I'm not sure whether to say prophetic or causative). Jacob is about to bless Manasseh & Ephraim (Manasseh is the elder of the two). Joseph lines them up such that Manasseh is on Jacob's right and Ephraim on his left. Then, Jacob goes and "messes things up", or at least in Joseph's eyes. Jacob crosses his arms and places his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh (The right hand is the hand of stronger blessing in this instance).
When asked why this was done, Jacob answered , saying that Ephraim would grow to be a greater, more populous nation. As to the prophetic/causative issue. I am not sure whether Jacob was foretelling Ephraim's future or whether he caused the more blessed future of Ephraim over Manasseh. Regardless, It is evident that God's hand was in play, guiding Jacob to say what he did in the manner he did.
Monday, March 12, 2012
12 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 48:1-12
Genesis 48:1-12
"Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh"
Jacob is relaying an important piece of information to Joseph in this passage. While at Luz, God had spoken to Jacob/Israel. Basically what was told to Jacob was that Joseph's two sons, Ephraim & Manasseh, were to be counted as Jacob's own sons with regard to the promise and Jacob's blessing. From this, as will be seen later on, we have the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh among the Israelites, despite the fact that they were Israel's grandsons, not his sons.
We see here an aspect of God's planning nature, His foreknowledge of what is to happen and what is the best way to enact that happening. We also see His provision and grace, blessing these two boys to a high honor.
"Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh"
Jacob is relaying an important piece of information to Joseph in this passage. While at Luz, God had spoken to Jacob/Israel. Basically what was told to Jacob was that Joseph's two sons, Ephraim & Manasseh, were to be counted as Jacob's own sons with regard to the promise and Jacob's blessing. From this, as will be seen later on, we have the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh among the Israelites, despite the fact that they were Israel's grandsons, not his sons.
We see here an aspect of God's planning nature, His foreknowledge of what is to happen and what is the best way to enact that happening. We also see His provision and grace, blessing these two boys to a high honor.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
11 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 47:27-31
Genesis 47:27-31
"Israel Settles in Goshen"
Israel has now settled into the land given them and Jacob makes a request of Joseph: He desires that when (not if) his descendants reach the promised land, that they would bury him there.
Jacob shows a large amount of trust in God and God's plan here. He remembers the promises of God and knows that He will follow through on His word. A fitting near-ending for one of the great patriarchs.
"Israel Settles in Goshen"
Israel has now settled into the land given them and Jacob makes a request of Joseph: He desires that when (not if) his descendants reach the promised land, that they would bury him there.
Jacob shows a large amount of trust in God and God's plan here. He remembers the promises of God and knows that He will follow through on His word. A fitting near-ending for one of the great patriarchs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)