Understand God’s Blessing

God’s blessing is incomparable due to its supreme characteristics.

In Genesis 46 – 50, Pharaoh prospered tremendously for Jacob and Joseph’s sake. Blessing is the grace of God to his steadfast followers; humans are just the receivers and / or agents of delivery. Fully backed up by the LORD, Jacob blessed his twelve sons and Joseph’s two sons before his death. God’s blessing is magnificent and unfailing.

                                               

God’s blessing is extensive -- to people connected with the blessed. Jacob blessed Pharaoh, who treated his household with remarkable kindness and generosity by letting them dwell in the best land of Egypt. Pharaoh also willed to hire the competent men from Jacob’s household to take care of his livestock. As God’s loyal agent, Joseph served Pharaoh with continuous diligence, making him more prosperous than ever. Pharaoh got all the money, livestock, land, and people as his servants. Many people were saved from the famine, and some enjoyed prosperity for Jacob and Joseph’s sake.

God’s blessing could be exclusive, for example, Jacob’s blessing to Joseph’s younger son (Ephraim). Being God’s devoted servant, Jacob was given the honor to inherit HIS unique blessing and passed it to his descendants, first to Joseph and then to Ephraim (the younger son) rather than Manasseh (the firstborn). Though Jacob lost his eye-sight due to old age, God helped him do the blessing knowingly as HE is omnipotent and can tell which son shall be greater.

God’s blessing is abundant and full of justice. Jacob’s blessing to his twelve sons was not standardized. He blessed each son according to his own blessing. Joseph, the greatest among all sons, got the most promising blessing -- as the heir of God’s blessing to Abraham.

God’s blessing could be very long-lasting. Jacob’s blessing prophesied the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph also reassured before his death that God would visit his descendants to lead them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.

God’s blessing is infallible. HE never forgets his promises to his faithful servants no matter they are alive or dead. God told Jacob not to be afraid of going to Egypt because HE would be with him. By the time Jacob arrived Egypt, he had a big family of seventy. His descendants continued multiplying exceedingly afterwards.

God’s blessing is delivered by reliable agents with HIS full backup. Jacob and Joseph, the blessed, had God be with them. Obedient to the LORD, they always lived with a thankful heart. They listened attentively to the LORD and were guided by HIM so that their self-interest couldn’t step in distorting HIS blessing. They had great belief in God and never doubted the truthfulness of HIS blessing that came through their mouth and hands.

Let’s pray to God:

Heavenly Father, glory to Your immovable righteousness and love to us. Please strengthen our faith, understanding and capability so that we could live humbly and uprightly, always obedient and diligent in working out Your plan, and delivering Your incomparable blessing to more people. Amen.

Joseph’s Greatness

Joseph served faithfully during his affliction to work out God’s plan.

In Genesis 37 – 45, we learned that Joseph, Jacob’s son, was sold to be a slave and then sent to prison due to a false accusation. He served faithfully albeit his affliction. God was with Joseph and made him prosper from his services. He became great and was able to preserve life, including the households of his father and brothers.

Though Joseph was loved by Israel and got a tunic of many colors exclusively, he didn’t grow up to be proud. He was humble and honest, telling the truths such as his dreams of greatness.

When Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, he didn’t escape and seek revenge. But he served his master with diligence and faithfulness. He didn’t steal from his master and flee. He didn’t do evil thing even he was tempted by his master’s wife.

The imprisonment due to a false accusation didn’t shake Joseph’s good nature. He never cursed, complained and fell into self-pity. He stood firm and continued doing good to provide service. He served the keeper of the prison and was fully trusted.

Serving in a household and then in a prison, Joseph developed his competence and gained trust from his superiors. The toil and hardships were good training for characters and skills, preparing him to take up the greater responsibility later – working for Pharaoh to gather foods during the seven years of plenty to cope with the seven years of famine followed. Many people were saved.

Joseph’s honesty was remarkable. Close as his family, low-grade as the two prisoners, powerful as the king of Egypt, he simply told the truth without any addition or omission, without pleasing anyone or seeking one’s benefit. He delivered God’s messages precisely.

Many people found Joseph trustworthy. Pharaoh didn’t feel unease with Joseph’s rise to power because of his dutifulness and submissiveness. Pharaoh treated Joseph and his family well, allowing them to prosper in his land.

The LORD was with Joseph and helped him interpret others’ dreams. HE didn’t send angels to get Joseph out of the pit and prevent the selling, or to free him by opening the prison door. Joseph’s toil in unpleasant conditions belonged to God’s plan. Joseph had great faith in God. He understood that all were God’s arrangements and gave full credit to HIM. He expressed his thankfulness by reconciling with his family and continued walking in God’s way, delighting the LORD.

The affliction didn’t harden Joseph’s heart. He cared and helped his family, demonstrating great love to his father, brothers and their households. He focused on serving others and ended up being great.

Let’s pray to God:

Praise to the LORD. Thank you for being with us. Pray that we can discern and do the right things, even under affliction. Let us not be afraid of toil and hardships, but will the self to be a helpful tool to execute Your great plan that was full of loving-kindness. Amen.

God’s blessing to Jacob

Jacob inherited God’s blessing to Abraham.

In Genesis 25 – 35, Isaac had to pass God’s blessing to one of his sons. Though he loved Esau, it’s Jacob that got it. God protected Jacob from dangers so that his descendants would continue multiplying and inherit the land God promised to Abraham, their ancestor.

God’s blessing to Abraham is specific and unique. It passed from Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob. For every generation, only one son will have the honor to receive it. Which person can receive the special inheritance? This is not determined by the human father but by the heavenly father, the omniscient God. HE foretold Isaac’s conceived wife that “the older shall serve the younger.”

God knows which son is more suitable to be the heir. Esau (the elder) was too imprudent and unreliable as he sold his birthright to Jacob (the younger) for foods. He also took wives that ended up being a grief of mind to his parents.

Jacob is obedient to God and his parents. He worked hard with patience in serving Laban for his daughters and flocks. God bestowed him prosperity in terms of sons and flocks. In Genesis 32:22, Jacob demonstrated his toughness. God blessed him and gave him a new name, Israel.

God took care of Jacob, who had several life threats, by giving him instructions and be with him. For example, Jacob fled from his angry brother who lost the unique blessing, from Laban the exploiter after twenty years’ service, from the possible attacks due to his sons’ slain and plunder in the city that belonged to Hamor and Shechem. As others knew that God was with Jacob, they dared not pursue his sons. Instead of being perished, Jacob prospered exceedingly.

God guided and protected Jacob and his people in their journeys. Even so, Jacob and his people still had to follow God’s rules. Besides doing what God instructed, without hesitation and complaint, Jacob also instructed his household and all the people with him to put away the foreign gods among them and be purified.

Jacob kept the merits of his ancestors to qualify himself for the extraordinary inheritance. He proves that God’s grace is to HIS steadfast follower, the deserved ones only. We ought to learn from Jacob: listen to God and comply with HIS will, cherish HIS blessing, be a faithful and diligent servant; we may be qualified to be an heir to attain the unique blessing that comes from the new covenant through Christ.

Let’s pray to God:

Almighty God, praise to Your omnipotence, omniscience and authenticity to Your promises. Please guide us in our life journey so that we are not lost. Pray that we understand the importance of Your blessing and cherish it wholeheartedly. Kindly help us live righteously so that we could overcome all hardships and perils, and reach the Kingdom of God -- the inherited land You promised in the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Thanks for Your grace. Amen.

God’s Extended Cares to Abraham

God’s abundance of grace to Abraham extended to people close to him.

In Genesis 14 and 18-19, God delivered Lot (Abraham’s brother’s son) and his family from dangers. In Genesis 16 and 21, God protected Hagar (bondwoman) and Ishmael (Abraham’s seed) so that they could survive the exile. In Genesis 12 and 20, God did not let other men touch Abraham’s wife. In Genesis 24, God sent angel to help Isaac get a bride.

Lot’s family followed Abraham journeying, but later they separated because the land couldn’t support them dwelling together. When Lot was under captivity, Abraham came to rescue with his servants and God was with them. The second deliverance was Lot’s escape with his wife and his two daughters before the angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

Though Lot is a relative of Abraham, he and his family still need to be righteous and obedient to God in order to be saved. His sons-in-law didn’t believe in Lot’s advice and they were destroyed. Lot’s wife disobeyed God by looking back; therefore, she became a pillar of salt.

God also saved Hagar and Ishmael twice. HE stopped Hagar’s fleeing from the presence of her mistress. She had conceived at that time. God sent angel to command Hagar going back to her mistress and being submissive, with a comforting projection of her son and his future.

When Isaac was born, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. They didn’t die in the wilderness because God opened Hagar’s eyes so that she could see a well of water. The LORD protected them and as foretold, multiplied Ishmael’s descendants exceedingly.

Twice, other men tried to take Abraham’s wife for her beauty. They believed what she told them – she was Abraham’s sister. Abraham was not killed for her sake. But God didn’t let other men touch Abraham’s wife. HE plagued or closed the womb of the related house so that both men restored the wife to Abraham. They set the married couple free, without harm.

God’s love to Abraham extended to Isaac as HE sent angel to get him a bride. The perfect match helped Isaac carry out God’s plan and blessing to his father – multiply Abraham’s descendants exceedingly.

God’s graces are bountiful and considerate. We don’t have to compete with each other to win HIS love and care. God was unimaginably abundant with his goodness and blessings. But we must do our duty to qualify for HIS grant. Obey God and walk in HIS way, we will be living within HIS plan and under HIS protection. Have great faith in the LORD; HE will deliver us from troubles and dangers, and forward us to happiness and prosperity.

Let’s pray to God:

Heavenly father, have mercy on us. Please deliver us from all kinds of temptations and dangers. Whatever happen in our life, help us walk in YOUR way steadfastly.  Thank you again for YOUR love and care. May we learn from You, and be able to extend our love and care to more neighbors. Praise to the LORD, now and forever. Amen.

God’s Promises to Abraham

Have great faith in God, obey HIM and be blessed.

In Genesis 12 to 18 and 21 to 22, God made promises and a covenant with Abraham, who was originally named Abram. God gave a land to Abraham and his descendants to inherit, and would multiply him exceedingly. His name would be great as he would be a father of nations. His wife, Sarah, who was originally named Sarai, would bear a son, and she would be a mother of nations. The covenant is about circumcision, to be kept by Abraham and his descendants after him throughout their generations.

To receive the land granted by God, Abraham must leave the original dwelling place and journey with his people and all their possessions. It takes great courage to leave the comfort zone. Abraham didn’t doubt God but did so accordingly.

Nothing is impossible for God. Therefore, Sarah gave birth even she had passed the age of childbearing. Isaac was born when his father was 100 years old. Abraham’s faith is so great that he passed the test given by God as he fears God and didn’t withhold his only son, but was willing to do what the LORD commanded – offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham understands everything belongs to God and HE comes first. Abraham lives in full obedience and trust to God without violation and complaint. His faith was confirmed and God gave him bountiful blessings.

God also promised Abraham that it would be fine to send Ishmael (his seed) and Hagar (the bondwoman) away. The lad and his mother would live in the wild and God would multiply him exceedingly.

Abraham glorified God and expressed his thankfulness by building an altar to the LORD every time. He did his duty faithfully to keep the covenant with God. Abraham, Ishmael his son and all the men of his house were circumcised. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, Ishmael his son at thirteen, and Isaac his son eight days old according to the covenant.

Abraham is an excellent example to show us how a flesh can be righteous, have great faith in God and keep the covenant loyally. He delights God by exercising his free will to obey HIM without unbelief and complaint, no matter how tough the circumstance is. He believes in God’s plan and HIS justice. God shows HIS great love toward him with abundant blessings. How harmonious Abraham’s relationship with our LORD is!

Let’s pray to God:

O Lord, my God, thanks for Your mercy, generosity and loving-kindness. You are full of goodness and we have the great honor to keep Your covenant (established by Jesus). Please strengthen our faith and help us resist all temptations that are ready to tear us away from You. Pray that we have full trust and belief in You like what Abraham did, and be able to do what You command without refusal, negligence, hesitation and complaint. Thanks for all Your blessings and helps. Amen.