Mark continued his series on the story of Joseph this morning, looking at the blessings given by God after he was reunited with his family.
In Gen 47:25-28, we see how Jacob and the rest of Joseph’s family settled in Egypt and lived there for 17 years; ‘they were fruitful and increased greatly in number.’ God’s blessings on them were enormous, with the foreigner and visitor (Jacob) blessed abundantly because of his relationship with God. No matter where we work or live or worship, nothing can stop God blessing those who live in right relationship with Him.
Gen 47:29-31 shows us Jacob making Joseph promise to take his body back to Canaan when he had died. Not only was this promise fulfilled, but Jacob’s prophetic word (Gen 48:21) that Joseph’s bones would be taken back to the land of his birth was also later fulfilled by Moses. God is able to look after our long-term futures!
In Gen 48:1-4, we see how Jacob counted it as a double blessing that not only had he been reunited with Joseph, but he had lived to see Joseph’s two sons. He remembers his life-changing dream at Bethel (Luz) (see Gen 28:12-19) and God’s promise of blessing to all peoples on earth through him and his offspring. God chooses and uses the most unlikely people, for Jacob was a runaway who had stolen his brother’s birthright, yet he was part of God’s plan of salvation and blessing for the whole world.
In Gen 48:8-22, Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, but chooses to bless the younger (Ephraim) with his right hand, reversing the expected order of blessing. This reminds us that God’s blessing is given as He wills (Joseph tried to persuade his father not to do this, but Jacob would not be swayed.) It also shows us that God does not do things in the ‘traditional’, ‘expected’ manner, but does whatever needs to be done to bless. Even if we try and divert God from blessing, God will bless those He wants to bless and will not be thwarted! God often shocks us with who He uses and how He uses them, but His awesome blessings are seen in this story as being for those who have dared to dream. It’s good to dare to dream in God and to live to receive God’s blessings.