Today's Reading
The Bible has much to say about words of blessing. Today in our Genesis reading, Jacob blesses his family just before he dies. In more ways than we can imagine, his words of blessing came true in the generations that came later.
Matthew again shows us the lavish grace of Jesus as he cares for the hurting of his generation. His actions contrast with those of the religious leaders who said they cared, but didn't show it.
I am reminded in Psalms that God knows me and loves me even when I feel like a failure. Sometimes it's easy to believe that I don't ever please God, but that's not true...
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
3 May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
We all fail sometimes, but Christ in our hearts keeps changing us. That means that we also have times when things are "right." Thank God that He remembers those times even when I don't.
The easiest way to conquer evil is to avoid it. That's our teaching today from Proverbs.
I hope to hear from you today!
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Wow, with blessings like that, who needs curses? Maybe you can shed some light on why Jacob "blessed" Simeon and Levi as he did- sure they were rotten, but as their father you'd think he'd try to encourage them to change instead of just curse them.
ReplyDeleteDo we know if Jacob's cross arm blessing of Manasseh and Ephraim was God led or just one younger sibling watching out for another?
Does Gen 49:10 refer to Christ?
What a great couple of questions, Julie. First, a blessing often included both good and bad. I believe in this case that Jacob had prayed for insight, then spoke what he believed the future would hold. Simeon and Levi were the two sons in Genesis 34 who slaughtered all the men in a city because of their sister Dinah. They also needlessly slaughter innocent animals. If I remember correctly, the tribe Simeon never fully took control of the land they were allotted in the days of Joshua. Levi became the priestly tribe and took on those duties among all the people. Moses and his family were part of Levi.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting thought that Jacob might have a bit of prejudice because he was a younger brother. Whatever his motive, Ephraim became the stronger tribe.
Benjamin was also not really "complimented" in this passage. Two Bible characters seem to bear out Jacob's words. The first was Saul, the first king of Israel. The second was Saul, who met Jesus on the Damascus road and had his name changed to Paul.
Yes, I believe Gen. 49:10 refers to Christ, who came through the tribe of Judah.