Learning From OT Greats: Jacob – Wrestling With PurposeSample

Day 7:   Jacob blesses his Children (part 2) 

Thoughts on the Passage

This is Jacob’s words to the rest of his sons. Some receive an okay blessing – like Zebulun, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, and Benjamin. Issachar does not receive a great blessing (some negative portion to Dan’s blessing as well).

Joseph gets a lot of special attention. Let’s look at his blessing more closely.

· Joseph will have a fruitful future – vines by a spring of water, branches over the wall

· Joseph will face intense attack – but will succeed despite that

· Joseph will receive the blessing of God’s Presence

· Joseph receives Jacob’s unbelievable specific blessings

· Joseph receives blessings that are greater than blessings received by Isaac and Jacob

Joseph was incredibly blessed! Remember that when you are facing challenges. We will be looking next at the life of Joseph and we will see that Joseph walked carefully in obedience to God – even when no one was watching. God honored that abundantly.

Application to our Lives

As we look at the blessings of Jacob, two got A+ blessings – Judah and Joseph. They were the ones that enabled reconciliation in the family – so that God’s destiny could be unleashed. Let’s be that kind of person.

Time to Pray

Father, I want to have a heart like Joseph that followed You regardless of whether people were watching, regardless whether anyone noticed. You watched and You noticed. I want to also release a greater blessing on those that follow behind me. What do I need to be able to do that? 

Give me wisdom that I can pass on that is greater than what I received from men. Give me promises that go beyond my lifetime – that must be released into the lives of others to be fulfilled. Give me a boldness to seize the understanding of Your heart. In Jesus name, Amen.