R³ Devotional - Day 29
R³ Devotional - Day 29 from Genesis Chapters 48-50
By: Mary Beth Wesley
Genesis 48: Joseph presents his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob and he adopts them as his own. Jacob gives a right hand blessing to Ephraim, not Manasseh, the oldest.
Genesis 49: Jacob shares prophecy for each of his sons (and their respective tribes), this is his last significant act as patriarch. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are all stripped of the birthright. Judah is blessed with the leadership position (we learn later that Jesus is a descendant of Judah: “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”). Joseph receives a very specific blessing and Jacob acknowledges that Joseph has always been in constant fellowship with God. Zebulun is prophesied to supply armies. Issachar will submit to forced labor like a band of slaves. Dan will act as judge for his people but cause trouble along the way. Gad will be afflicted but will triumph. Asher will be the most blessed and have food aplenty. Naphtali will be a speaking place of Jesus. Benjamin will become a violent man.
At the end of Genesis 49, we hear Jacob’s final instructions to his sons to take him to be buried with his fathers just before he passes.
Genesis 50: Jacob was embalmed by Joseph’s instruction and Egypt mourned him for 70 days (royal mourning lasted 72 days). Pharaoh sends Joseph to bury Jacob with all of his officials. Upon their return to Egypt, Joseph’s brothers worried that he would hold a grudge against them, doubting his character. Joseph used this to remind his brothers about who God is and that he had used Joseph’s circumstances for good. We then jump to the end of Joseph’s life where he tells his brothers to carry his bones from Egypt to Canaan. He passes, full of faith in God’s promise to bring his people home. He is buried in a coffin in Egypt (and spends 400 years there waiting to go home, sharing God’s promises even after his death.)
Genesis 49: Jacob shares prophecy for each of his sons (and their respective tribes), this is his last significant act as patriarch. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are all stripped of the birthright. Judah is blessed with the leadership position (we learn later that Jesus is a descendant of Judah: “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”). Joseph receives a very specific blessing and Jacob acknowledges that Joseph has always been in constant fellowship with God. Zebulun is prophesied to supply armies. Issachar will submit to forced labor like a band of slaves. Dan will act as judge for his people but cause trouble along the way. Gad will be afflicted but will triumph. Asher will be the most blessed and have food aplenty. Naphtali will be a speaking place of Jesus. Benjamin will become a violent man.
At the end of Genesis 49, we hear Jacob’s final instructions to his sons to take him to be buried with his fathers just before he passes.
Genesis 50: Jacob was embalmed by Joseph’s instruction and Egypt mourned him for 70 days (royal mourning lasted 72 days). Pharaoh sends Joseph to bury Jacob with all of his officials. Upon their return to Egypt, Joseph’s brothers worried that he would hold a grudge against them, doubting his character. Joseph used this to remind his brothers about who God is and that he had used Joseph’s circumstances for good. We then jump to the end of Joseph’s life where he tells his brothers to carry his bones from Egypt to Canaan. He passes, full of faith in God’s promise to bring his people home. He is buried in a coffin in Egypt (and spends 400 years there waiting to go home, sharing God’s promises even after his death.)
Principles:
- Jacob is a testimony of God’s grace. Even when he turned back to his old ways and was prone to wandering, God was always there to shepherd him back onto the right path.
- God turns our sufferings into blessings.
- God is a faithful shepherd, He is always with you.
- God will always go before you to set the path.
- God knows your true character - can others see it, too?
Application
- Don’t grow weary in the waiting. God is with you.
- Recognize God’s hand in your life. No man can derail the plans God has for your life. Our lives are IN the hands of God.
- Trust in the victory of Jesus with a death-defying attitude like Jacob.
- Hold true to your character by prioritizing reconciliation and the well-being of your family like Joseph.
Action
- Forgive those who have wronged you.
- Love in practical action.
- Trust God’s timing and promises.
- Seek God’s guidance and wisdom.
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