2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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DID GOD HAVE A PLAN FOR ISRAEL?
DEC 29
Genesis 49:1-33
Memorise Deuteronomy 9:5 "That he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers"
DID GOD HAVE A PLAN FOR ISRAEL?
After blessing Joseph’s two sons and elevating them to the status of sons, Jacob then called the rest of his sons together that he may give them their blessings. Note that the blessings that these patriarchs dispensed were not just nice sounding platitudes and well-wishes. As representatives of God to their families, the blessings that they impart were prophetic in nature, and would be fulfilled to the very letter in accordance to God’s will.
Reuben as the firstborn should have been the chosen heir of Jacob, the one through whom the messianic promise would have continued through. However because of the terrible sin of incest (Genesis 35:22), he was judged "unstable as water, thou shalt not excel;" (Genesis 49:4). True enough, Rueben never became a very prominent tribe, and little would be said of them. Because of their treachery and deceit in killing the entire city of Salem in Genesis 34, both Simeon and Levi were described as "instruments of cruelty", and their inheritance will be that "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" (Genesis 49:7). For Simeon, it was a judgment, for they very quickly became assimilated into Judah’s territory, and like Reuben, not much was known of them. However for Levi, because they later stood on the Lord’s side on the incident of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32), they were blessed in becoming God’s special servants in the temple of the Lord. Yes they did not have their own land and were scattered throughout Israel, but it was not a curse but a blessing to be able to serve the Lord in that manner. Judah the 4th oldest son, then became the chosen one from whom the Messiah would come, and therefore it is said of him "thou art whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee" (Genesis 49:8). King David, and later the Lord Jesus Christ would be from the tribe of Judah, and thus the sceptre of rule shall not depart from Judah, and he will be a powerful tribe.
Likewise for the rest of the tribes, God had a specific reason, purpose and intent for the blessings and prophecies given to them. And so to each of them, "their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them" (Genesis 49:28). God, in His infinite wisdom is always deliberate in his ways, and always in control. He raises one up and puts down. We can but sit back and marvel at His amazing plan, and acknowledge that He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God whom we serve.
Thought: What is God’s plan for me?
Prayer: Lord, may I live in according to Your plan and Your will for me.
Posted in Teens RPG
Genesis 49:1-33
Memorise Deuteronomy 9:5 "That he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers"
DID GOD HAVE A PLAN FOR ISRAEL?
After blessing Joseph’s two sons and elevating them to the status of sons, Jacob then called the rest of his sons together that he may give them their blessings. Note that the blessings that these patriarchs dispensed were not just nice sounding platitudes and well-wishes. As representatives of God to their families, the blessings that they impart were prophetic in nature, and would be fulfilled to the very letter in accordance to God’s will.
Reuben as the firstborn should have been the chosen heir of Jacob, the one through whom the messianic promise would have continued through. However because of the terrible sin of incest (Genesis 35:22), he was judged "unstable as water, thou shalt not excel;" (Genesis 49:4). True enough, Rueben never became a very prominent tribe, and little would be said of them. Because of their treachery and deceit in killing the entire city of Salem in Genesis 34, both Simeon and Levi were described as "instruments of cruelty", and their inheritance will be that "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" (Genesis 49:7). For Simeon, it was a judgment, for they very quickly became assimilated into Judah’s territory, and like Reuben, not much was known of them. However for Levi, because they later stood on the Lord’s side on the incident of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32), they were blessed in becoming God’s special servants in the temple of the Lord. Yes they did not have their own land and were scattered throughout Israel, but it was not a curse but a blessing to be able to serve the Lord in that manner. Judah the 4th oldest son, then became the chosen one from whom the Messiah would come, and therefore it is said of him "thou art whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee" (Genesis 49:8). King David, and later the Lord Jesus Christ would be from the tribe of Judah, and thus the sceptre of rule shall not depart from Judah, and he will be a powerful tribe.
Likewise for the rest of the tribes, God had a specific reason, purpose and intent for the blessings and prophecies given to them. And so to each of them, "their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them" (Genesis 49:28). God, in His infinite wisdom is always deliberate in his ways, and always in control. He raises one up and puts down. We can but sit back and marvel at His amazing plan, and acknowledge that He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God whom we serve.
Thought: What is God’s plan for me?
Prayer: Lord, may I live in according to Your plan and Your will for me.
Posted in Teens RPG