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You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Heb. 11:21 21 By faith [pistis] Jacob [Iakob], when he was a dying [apothnesko], blessed [eulogeo] both [hekastos] the sons [huios] of Joseph [Ioseph]; and [kai] worshipped [proskuneo], leaning upon [epi] the top [akron] of his [autos] staff [rhabdos]. KJV-Interlinear 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. NASB Jacob, unlike his father, Isaac, did not try to bless his favored son. When he faced death in his old age, he recognized the favor that God had placed on Joseph. Joseph was not the eldest son, nor even the youngest. Benjamin was the youngest. Joseph was the eleventh son of the twelve. But tradition holds that the eldest son or the son of promise, is to receive a double portion of the inheritance. And so Jacob gave the double portion to his eleventh son who was the blessed son among the twelve, even though he was not the eldest. Jacob blessed Joseph not directly but through Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. They represent the double portion. The story of this blessing comes in Gen. 47-49. Jacob did not try to circumvent Gods plan. Jacob lived a long life and even at the moment of his death, he still looked to Gods promises with full assurance and confidence that God would one day, fulfill His promises. Even in death, Jacob, as did Abraham and Isaac, believed in their resurrection. How else would they be the recipients of blessings after their death, if they did not recover life in some fashion. Though the book of Genesis does not specifically teach resurrection, their faith and their actions and words, point to their belief in a resurrection. Gen. 47:31 31 And he said, 'Swear to me.' So he swore to him. Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed. NASB Gen. 49:28 28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him. NASB Gen. 49:33 33 When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. NASB Jacob held his faith right up until the end of his life. He did not see any failure in Gods promises. He did not get emotional or upset about not getting what he expected to receive from God. So also, the readers of this story are to maintain their worship right to the end of life, persevering in their faith in their future that God has foretold and promised. Regardless of your circumstances of life. Regardless of the trials that you may encounter. Regardless of the unfair situations that you have faced or will face. You should always hold close to your faith, because your destiny is not dependent on the details of this life, but on your faith. Never proclaim the prejudices of life against you as your excuse for failure. Only a failure looks for excuses. Your faith comes only from the daily study of the Word of God, while you are resident in fellowship, and as a result of your learning, from your application of doctrine to you life. This is the devils world. It will not be a fair world. Just look at the news these days. Many Muslims are killing and burning and destroying over a silly cartoon. I've wondered just how they got all of those Danish flags? I'm sure that every good Muslim owns a Danish flag. Hummm? And then there is a television show that I saw the other day on the Science channel. It was a show on the make up of he universe. Seems that there are a couple of new theories out these days. One called the String theory and another called the M theory. Both interesting concepts that hold that the universe is held together by strings of particles interwoven through eleven dimensions of membrane fabric. The membrane part being he M theory. The eleven dimensions include the usual dimensions of height, width, depth and time. The four we are all used to. With additional dimensions to support the many secrets of how the universe is held together. Anyway I am a little off the subject, but when you contrast the complexities of this 'designed' universe with the pettiness of the violent reactions over a cartoon, then you can see just how off track priorities of the human race can get. The universe is probably far more complex than anyone can imagine. And this only goes to show that we should get our priorities in order so that our individual lives do not get side tracked for all of eternity. God has given each one of us, promises. Do not allow small things in this life, to enter into your life and cancel out all of your future. Esau traded his birthright away for a single meal. Joseph's brothers threw away their brother and canceled out their rightful place in their order of inheritance. God blesses mature believers. God gives a double portion to mature believers. Spiritual maturity should be your goal in life. You are the only one who can prevent your achieving spiritual maturity through your indifference. 
Now is the time to post a prayer. End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. |
