Good morning. Genesis Chapter 48.
We see Jacob blessing Joseph's two sons and putting the greater blessing on the younger son, which did not make sense to Joseph. It makes me think of how God is not limited on who He can use for ministry. He is not bound by traditions. He is not bound by popularity. God is so willing to use whoever has a willing heart to be used. It has nothing to do with who's older but all about the heart that's willing to serve!! May our hearts be truly willing to serve the Lord and be used by him!!!
I wonder if Jacob had some more favoritism again towards the younger grandson because he also was the younger brother in his family or if he was specifically directed by the Lord to act in this way or maybe a combination of both. Of course we saw how this whole issue of receiving the blessing was such a big factor in Jacob’s own life. This scene along with Pastor Blair’s comment reminded me a little bit about when Samuel would one day go to anoint one of Jesse’s sons and David wasn’t the one who Samuel first thought that it would be as we read from 1 Samuel 16:7. “…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” God knows our hearts and who will choose to serve Him.
ApologetiX shares a little bit through the lyrics in today’s parody about why they do what they do to reach the lost and teach the rest as they redo and attempt to fix many of the songs that they spoof.
Here’s the link for Barroom Hitz.
https://youtu.be/smaB6e96xSk
Pastor Blair and Jim, I love you take on this chapter. God sees our hearts and he speaks to us no matter what we look like, how old we are, or the sins of our past. He blesses all His children and uses us in ways we never thought possible. May we all be willing to hear His call and accept His blessings over our life!
There are many examples of when the Lord tweaks the notion that the firstborn receives the benefits: Cain was the firstborn but Abel was blessed; Ishmael was firstborn but Isaac was blessed; Esau was firstborn but Jacob was blessed; Reuben was firstborn but Joseph was blessed; Aaron was firstborn but Moses was blessed. Through His Word, the Lord often makes the lesser the greater, and uses the younger to rule the older. What is coming is always better than what has been. This gives us great hope! He takes us from glory to (greater) glory (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).
11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”
This verse makes me feel good