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PROPHETIC PRONOUNCEMENTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 22
Genesis 48-49

Psalm 43

 

“…the Spirit gave them utterance.”

 

PROPHETIC PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
When Jacob arrived in Egypt, the overwhelming joy and unexpected pleasure of seeing Joseph caused him to say, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face…” (Gen 46:30). He was then 130 years old and had good reason to believe that the end was not far away. However, God prolonged his days for another seventeen years in the land of sojourn (cf. Gen 47:28). “…for he is thy life, and the length of thy days…” (Deut 30:20).
 
Finally, Jacob sensed that the end was imminent, and the time was at hand for him to take his leave. What would you say to your family when you have arrived at the end of life’s journey? Here we see Jacob at the end of an unusually checkered life spanning 147 eventful years, on his deathbed, leaving his last words.
 
First, Jacob recalled God appearing to him in a dream on that unforgettable first night away from home, and blessed him with these words, “Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession” (Gen 48:4). Then Jacob recalled his beloved wife Rachel and her untimely death. But foremost in his mind was the grace of God, the God of Abraham and Isaac, the God who was the fountain of every blessing. “…God shall be with you…” (Gen 48:21).
 
Then looking into the future, Jacob prophesied (with God-given eyesight and insight) the destiny of each son in turn. The man after whom the nation Israel is named today became God’s prophet. He made utterances which projected into the future, concerning the sons, the nation and the world, something which neither Abraham nor Isaac were given to do!
 
THOUGHT: (Read Proverbs 9:11.)

PRAYER: Father, may I be thankful for each new day that Thou givest me.

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