The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31, 48:1-2,8-19, 49:33, 50:1-6 (day seven)
“Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.”  (47:31)  By now they are regularly calling him Israel.  Jacob was his old name.  It meant “cheat or schemer”.  Years of learning the mercy of a sovereign God have now given him a new heart and a new name.  Israel meant “God- conquered” (sarah=to struggle, el=God)  See Genesis 32 for this amazing turning-point story.  As Jacob struggled with the God of grace, he was conquered by Love.  He became a new man.  Now at the end of life, his new natures shines.  He is calm, trusting.  He sees the future with hope and confidence.  He worships God (at a time when many are tempted to become distracted and self-absorbed).  Strange irony.  Jacob was never more ALIVE than on the day of his DEATH.  Will this be true of me?  You?  Will your last moments be your best, the highest expression of a life changed by God?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31, 48:1-2,8-19, 49:33, 50:1-6 (day six)
“When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him. . .’do not bury me in Egypt.’ ” (47:29-30)  It is a time that will come for every one of us.  The time to die.  “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or, if due to strength, eighty years.”  (Psalm 90:12)  Notice Jacob’s absence of avoidance?  Both culturally and spiritually he is prepared.  No fear.  Calm preparation for the next steps.  As a Pastor, I hear the stories, (and deal with the consequences for the family) of people who refuse think/talk about death.  Too fearful.  Too depressing.  Believers have a greater opportunity.  We write our wills.  We speak to our children and friends of our wishes.  We do not fear death.  We prepare for it.  “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”, said Jesus. (Matthew 6:20)  It is a day that comes for everyone.  Are you prepared?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31, 48:1-2,8-19, 49:33, 50:1-6 (day five)
“I know, my son, I know.  He too will become a people, and he too will become great.  Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.”  (48:19)  It  was an unexpected move.  A departure from tradition.  The oldest son normally received the greater blessing and, with it, the responsibility for leadership in the family.  Jacob, however, favored Ephraim over his older brother.  We do not know how Jacob received this insight, but we do know that he was convinced that God had made this choice.  God does not govern according to our expectations. He chooses and calls according to His free and sovereign will.  Believers learn to trust His judgment.  Strange that Joseph resisted.  God made the same declaration over his life– the younger son to whom his brothers would bow.  What about you?  Open to God’s choice?  Even when it’s contrary to your expectations?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31; 48:1-2, 8-19; 49:33; 50:1-6 (day four)
Joseph had been separated from his family.  What his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good.  Now he was in high authority in Egypt and had provided food in time of famine for his family.  God’s purpose was fulfilled.  Now, Jacob was about to die.  He wanted to bless Joseph’s sons according to God’s instruction.  When Joseph brought Manasseh and Ephraim to Jacob, he placed the boys in the proper position to receive their grandfather’s blessing.  But God had other plans.  Jacob blessed Ephraim, the second born, as if he was first born.  Joseph was sure there was a mistake…but Jacob was certain.  It was God’s plan.  God looks on the hearts of men.  It is not the one who has a right or the privilege, God looks for the man whose heart is completely His!  “Lord, cause me to be the man you would have me to be.  May my heart be completely Yours!”

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 46-50 (day three)
“Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger.”  Over Joseph’s protestations, Israel went against the custom of his people.  He had not forgotten his own deceptively-obtained blessing of the firstborn.  That deception had come with a high price: Life on the lam, a wife he was deceived into marrying, family turmoil, and the terror of encountering his older brother many years later.  Yet God shaped Israel into the father of twelve tribes as he wrestled with God through that turmoil.  As Israel crossed his hands to break with custom, he did so as one who had come to know something true about life.  Israel knew that custom gives order and place to a people, but wisdom, which comes from God, sees a future that custom cannot.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31; 48:1-2,8-19; 49:33; 50:1-6 (day one)
“Then he blessed Joseph…” Joseph? But his hands were on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. How was he blessing Joseph if his hands were on Joseph’s sons? The blessing that a father gives is never just for one generation. Pouring wisdom, love and discipline into a child is a kind of investment that is reaped for generations. But Joseph’s blessing that day was as much practical as it was spiritual. In a great act of favor, Jacob gives his blessing, his inheritance, not to Joseph himself which would then be split in two for the boys. No. Jacob adopts Joseph’s sons as his own so that Joseph received two full shares of his father’s blessing/inheritance. That’s how it is with a father’s favor. It is as unfair as it is lavish. That’s how it is with our Father’s favor. When He places His hand on your head, it is unfair — you will receive far more than you deserve, and it is lavish – the generosity is astounding. But He doesn’t place his hand on your head because of you. He places His hand on your head because His favor has fallen on His Son in whom He is “well-pleased.”

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31; 48:1-2,8-19; 49:33; 50:1-6 (day one)
Jac0b is 147 years old.  He has learned much.  God has been patient with this scoundrel turned saint.  Now he has one final wish.  “I want to be buried in the land that God promised my fathers”, he tells his son Joseph.  I want a memorial service that will remind my family what I believe and my hope for the future–that God will eventually return the sons of Israel to Canaan and fulfill the promise made to Abraham.  Sadly, our generation regards a “last will and testament” as having mainly to do with money.  For Jacob it was more.  It was one last opportunity to declare his faith in God and to  encourage his family toward it.  Joseph would later follow his example.  (Genesis 50:25)  What about you?  Are you using every opportunity to clearly communicate your faith in God to your family.  In life?  In death?  What is in your last will and testament?

Re: Verse reading–Numbers 13:1-2, 17-33; Joshua 14:6-10 (day seven)
“I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now” (14:11)  It was a dark period, spiritually.  Great mistakes had been made.  Serious consequences were being experienced by the nation.  How did Caleb retain spiritual vitality? How did he escape the deadening, discouraging impact of endless funerals and frustration as the nation waited out the judgement of God?  Good question for us who also live in a time of God’s out-poured wrath.  “The days are evil” says Paul in Ephesians 5.  (As if we needed the reminder)  2 Peter 2:9 says,   “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgement.”  He knows how judge the culture and encourage the believer. Simultaneously.  Let none of us use the present age as an excuse.  God calls us to be  spiritually strong.

Re: Verse reading–Numbers 13:1-2, 17-33; Joshua 14:6-10 (day six)
“Now then, give me this hill country. . .perhaps the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them (Anakim) out as the Lord has spoken.” (Joshua 14:12)  Does your experience with God in the past cause you to trust Him for the future?  Can you look back over life and see His faithfulness?  Can you translate this testimony into courage for the challenges ahead?  Caleb could.  45 years earlier, God promised him that he would survive the wilderness judgment.  Still alive , therefore proving the faithfulness of God, he is confident that 1) the land can be continued to be conquered ,even though “giants” are still menacingly present, and 2) he would get to participate in the victory (even though he was now a senior adult).  He says  “perhaps” more from humility than doubt.  He is still willing to risk!  Still willing for the adventure to continue! Has God’s faithfulness touched your heart?  Are you confident?

Re: Numbers 13:1-2, 17-33; Joshua 14:6-10 (day five)
“But my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear.  I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.”  (14:8)  Caleb is not bragging.  (Moses will make the same judgment about him in v. 9)  He is simply reporting what happened years before at Kadesh Barnea.  10 members of the select committee bring a fear-based report.  Only Caleb and Joshua see the possibilities of God’s call.   Are we whole-hearted?  Hearts COMPLETELY,  focused on the Lord and His plans and power to help?  Do we entertain fear, lingering too long on the  problems that may lay ahead, becoming, by implication, half-hearted?  It will not turn out well.  “Love the Lord with ALL your heart and your soul and your mind and your strength” is not only a command, it is the path of LIFE for the people of God.  No one can serve two masters.  No one can succeed with half a heart.