God’s Blessing

Background Scripture: Genesis 48-50
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 48:1-5, 15-16, 20-22

Introduction

Having an assurance of God’s blessing upon one’s life and efforts is essential to the well-being of not only our spiritual life but our emotional and physical life as well. The peace and security that accompanies the comfort of the Holy Spirit is a blessing that we must hold dear.

God’s blessings cannot be earned or merited; they are the reward of faithfulness and righteous living. The Beatitudes would indicate that blessings are received as a result of holiness in heart and spirit.

Key Verse

Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers (Prov. 17:6).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Jacob had now been in Egypt seventeen years and was 147 years old (Gen. 47:28). As his life came to a close, Jacob’s final act was to bestow a blessing upon his sons and a prophetic foretelling of their future.

Our lesson chronicles God’s blessing of Joseph through Jacob for his faithfulness. In spite of excruciating circumstances, Joseph had lived an exemplary life of faithful obedience to God. The injustices that Joseph endured at the hands of his brethren and Potiphar’s wife had not left him bitter or vindictive, but he understood that it was in God’s plan so that he could save his brethren.

According to custom, Reuben, being the firstborn, was entitled to the birthright, but because of his sin against Jacob’s house, he was denied the birthright, and it was given to Joseph (1 Chron. 5:1). The birthright included Jacob blessing both of Joseph’s sons.

“By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff” (Heb. 11:21). In his blessing upon Manasseh and Ephraim, Jacob took them as his sons. They would receive an equal portion of the inheritance, with two of the tribes of Israel bearing their names.

Again, Jacob went against precedent by giving the greater blessing to the younger son, Ephraim. Eventually, Ephraim would inherit the land of the Amorites. The ten tribes comprising the northern kingdom of Israel were sometimes referred to as Ephraim in years to come.

As a point of interest, the birthright was Joseph’s, yet God gave the scepter (royal authority) to the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10). Many years later, David repeated this, saying, “For he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler” (1 Chron. 28:4). Thus, through the tribe of Judah would come the kings of Israel. The kingship would not depart from Judah until the coming of Shiloh (Christ), who would then usher in the kingdom of heaven. He is the “Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14). These are now the redeemed and blessed children of God.

Practical Truths for Today

Throughout the Scripture, God’s desire to bless those who seek his will and serve him faithfully is expressed over and over. Thus the relationship that we have with God through Christ Jesus is one of blessing. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).

In the beginning, God blessed man above all living creatures. Made in his own image and likeness (Gen. 1:26), God blessed him with intellect, reason, and the power to choose. Through the eternal breath of God, “man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7).

Through sin, man lost the image of God, his intellect and reason was corrupted by the depravity of his heart, and the soul was doomed to eternal death (Gen. 2:17). In mercy God blessed man with a Savior, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God’s blessing upon faithfulness in the Old Testament was largely material and physical in nature, blessing them with prosperity and his continuing favor upon the next generations. Adversity was generally viewed as punishment upon one’s life. However, Job contended that adversity was a part of God’s goodness and was beneficial in one’s life. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

In the New Testament, the many blessings that are mentioned are generally spiritual in nature. The happy state of peace and forgiveness that we can enjoy is a blessing of living the gospel. The fifth chapter of Matthew would indicate that, in spite of adverse conditions, God’s blessings continue to surround and comfort us. Many have testified of a special closeness with God during difficult and trying times.

While God is very much interested in the material and physical aspect of our lives, his blessings are much richer and deeper than material prosperity. God’s blessings are not intended to enhance us materially but to bring us closer to Him and into a deeper relationship with Him. Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:35). After listing many adverse conditions, he concludes that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God. If our devotion is firmly set on the love of God, we will find his blessing sure to follow. It is interesting to note that many of those who have endured hardship and disappointments in life have a clearer understanding and thankfulness for God’s blessings.

One of God’s special blessings is the Christian home. Fathers and mothers have a great responsibility to bless their children with right teaching and proper discipline. The legacy of loving God and his Word coupled with a love and concern for his church brings blessings that cannot be measured. When children are brought up seeing the faithfulness of spiritual fathers and mothers and are read to from the Bible, they have a tremendous advantage. As they are taught from the Bible’s precepts, it lays a foundation that is not easily forsaken and will go with them for life.

Joseph was a mighty man second only to Pharaoh in authority, yet we see the great respect he had for his father when he submitted to Jacob blessing his younger son over the elder. At this time, Ephraim and Manasseh were possibly in their early twenties. The humility and respect they showed to Jacob in this situation is a model of submission even today.

As we approach the sunset years of life, the spiritual well-being of our children, grandchildren, and the church takes on a special importance. Sometimes the advice and counsel of our older brethren may seem out of touch with today’s world. When we have a heartfelt love and respect for their thoughts, it can moderate our decisions into a more temperate way and bring about a unity of heart and spirit.

The apostle John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). The faithfulness of one’s children is a priceless blessing that we enjoy as we grow older. May this lesson lead us to a deeper understanding of God’s goodness. His blessings are found through humility, submission, and seeking his will above all else.

Questions

1. How do we understand and apply the promises of material blessings of the Old Testament in relation to the spiritual blessings of the New Testament?
2. How do we recognize God’s blessing or favor in our lives?
3. Can the term “God’s blessings” be misused for selfish purpose? What is the true definition of God’s blessings?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).