Recognized Mourning

 Recognized Mourning

Genesis 50: ¹⁰ Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days of mourning for his father. ¹¹ And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a deep mourning of the Egyptians.” Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

 

¹² So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them. ¹³ For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as property for a burial place. ¹⁴ And after he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and all who went up with him to bury his father.

 

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After leaving Egypt, Joseph and the rest of the funeral processional arrived at the burial site. The inhabitants saw the mourning. Joseph mourned an additional seven days on top of the seventy and the forty done in Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• The Philistines recognized that Joseph and the Egyptians were not trying to raid the land, rather they were in mourning.
• The locals saw that the Egyptians mourned, and were so amazed that they named the place Abel Mizraim, which means “Where Egyptians Mourn.”
• Almost a third of a year was spent mourning over Jacob.

 

When Jacob made his sons promise to go back and bury him in the place where Abraham and Isaac were buried, they may have had mixed emotions. They had to go back to the place where they plotted against Joseph and near the place where they murdered someone out of vengeance.

 

They had been gone for almost twenty years, but the feelings may have still been there. The locals saw that they were minimally armed so they left them alone. Egypt and the Philistines were not friends, so this funeral was strange. GOD provided a peaceful mourning time.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the inhabitants of the Canaanites?
• Have you ever been at odds with someone but saw that they were going through something?
• Can you recognize that someone you may be arguing with may be going through something only GOD can see?

Pronounced Burial

Pronounced Burial

Genesis 50: ⁴ Now when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the hearing of Pharaoh, saying, ⁵ ‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come back.’ ”

 

⁶ And Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.”

 

⁷ So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, ⁸ as well as all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds they left in the land of Goshen. ⁹ And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering.

 

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After one hundred ten days, Joseph asked Pharaoh for some time off so that he could bury his father. Pharaoh agreed and Joseph got the funeral processional together.

 

My Observations:

• Israel’s funeral was the largest mentioned in Genesis.
• Egyptians mingled with Hebrews in this strange brief period of unity around mourning.
• GOD cleared the way for Joseph to bury Jacob.

 

The only people left at home were the little kids and the people who would watch over them and the animals. Everyone else went to the funeral. Sarah, Abraham, Rebekah, Isaac and Leah had small unannounced funerals. Rachel was buried in a place that her death happened and her funeral was small.

 

But Jacob’s funeral was pronounced throughout Egypt. People had to know ahy Joseph was going to be away, so they were told. Egyptians and Hebrews joined together to mourn Jacob, who GOD made great despite how he lived. GOD brought unity in a strange way.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Joseph’s permission to bury his father?
• Is your life part of a story that GOD is not finished with?
• Will your story be ended with giving up because it seemed hard or that you pressed on for GOD’s purpose?

Mourned as a Leader

 Mourned as a Leader

Genesis 50: Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him, and kissed him. ² And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. ³ Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

 

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When Jacob died, Joseph wept and kissed him. He told the Egyptian physicians, who were “his” servants, to embalm his father. This would take forty days. After that, all of Egypt mourned for seventy days.

 

My Observations:

• Egyptians were known for mumification, whereas Jacob simply buried Rachel and Leah.
• Embalming took forty days because it was extremely important to the Egyptians who believed in gods.
• Mourning was ceremonious to the Egyptians, similar to a coronation.

 

Jacob, known as Israel was celebrated as an Egyptian leader because of his relationship with Joseph. Neither Joseph or Jacob were Egyptians, yet they celebrated him as one of their own. GOD put Joseph in a position of power and he was seen as Pharaoh.

 

Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years. My guess is that the Egyptians heard of the stories of Abraham and Isaac during his stay. He was not one to remain silent. He may have had some affect on their beliefs. GOD made Jacob a leader in the middle of a culture who would, otherwise, not accept him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the Egyptian’s mourning of Jacob?
• Is your faith strong enough to affect the culture around you?
• Can you be the salt GOD has called you to be so you can transform the people around you?

Jacob’s Final Instructions

 

Jacob’s Final Instructions

Genesis 49: ²⁹ Then he charged them and said to them: “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, ³⁰ in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. ³¹ There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. ³² The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.” ³³ And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

 

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After blessing his sons, Jacob gave his final instructions on where to bury him. After giving the instructions, he immediately passed away.

 

My Observations:

• Ephron was a Hittite who lived in the land of the Philistines
• Abraham insisted on buying the land when Sarah died because he wanted ownership versus ambiguous terms that would eventually allow some other family to reclaim the property.
• Leah was the only wife buried in the cave with Jacob’s ancestors.

 

There are significant things going on with Jacob’s final instructions. First, he insisted on being buried in the cave with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah. Abraham moved to the land of the Philistines and dealt with Abimelech. When Sarah died, he bought the land that had a cave on it. Jacob wanted to be buried there.

 

But in his dying statement, he mentions Leah. Wow! She is the mother of Judah which is the tribe of David and JESUS! Jacob did not want Leah for many reasons. He desired Rachel, who ended up dying in the birthplace of JESUS. Leah ended up being very special to Jacob and her prayers were answered.

 

The Philistines would become the ultimate enemies of GOD as they fought against the tribes of Israel over and over because of their belief in GOD. Samson would fight the Philistines and David fought Goliath, a famous Philistine. The Hittites believed in many gods. Ephron was a Hittite who owned land amongst the Philistines. GOD seemed to bring together the people who worshipped HIM and those who opposed HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Jacob insisting to be buried with his ancestors?
• Are there some things that you fought against GOD that were beneficial to you?
• Will you surrender anything that you are fighting GOD for, to get your own way?

Israel’s Prophecy for Benjamin

Israel’s Prophecy for Benjamin

Genesis 49:  ²⁷ “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
In the morning he shall devour the prey,
And at night he shall divide the spoil.”

 

²⁸ All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

 

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Benjamin was the twelfth son of Jacob and the second son of Rachel, the one Jacob loved. Rachel had a difficult child labor with Benjamin and named him Ben-Oni “Son of my Trouble.” But Jacob renamed him Benjamin, “Son of my right hand.”  Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.

 

My Observations:

• Benjamin did not grow up with a mother figure in his life.
• Israel recognized that Benjamin had valor as a warrior and disgrace.
• Benjamin was significantly younger than his brothers and may not have shared as much hatred of Joseph, but he went along with them.

 

This is the final blessing of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin would end up small. At one point, all of the tribes would turn against this tribe in a civil war. The warriors that came from the tribe of Benjamin were known for being fierce and cruel. This aligned with Israel’s prophecy of Benjamin.

 

Famous people came from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul, Israel’s first king and Saul, otherwise known as Paul, came from the tribe of Benjamin. Paul even says he was a Pharisee of Pharisees from the tribe of Benjamin.

 

Saul, the king, was a fierce warrior who pursued David to kill him. Saul of Tarshish, pursued those who believed in CHRIST to kill them. Both Sauls showed their fierce roots from Benjamin. BUT GOD has Benjamin’s name in the book of Revelation and on a gate in heaven. This shows GOD’s mercy.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Benjamin’s blessing from Israel?
• Are there parts of you that seem fierce?
• Can you praise GOD for HIS grace and for overlooking what you have done in the past?

Israel’s Prophecy for Joseph

Israel’s Prophecy for Joseph

Genesis 49:  ²² “Joseph is a fruitful bough,
A fruitful bough by a well;
His branches run over the wall.
²³ The archers have bitterly grieved him,
Shot at him and hated him.
²⁴ But his bow remained in strength,
And the arms of his hands were made strong
By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
²⁵ By the God of your father who will help you,
And by the Almighty who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
²⁶ The blessings of your father
Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors,
Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.
They shall be on the head of Joseph,
And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.

 

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Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of Rachel, the one Jacob loved. Rachel was delighted to finally have children! She said “GOD has taken away my disgrace” when Joseph was born. She named him Joseph or “may he add.”

 

My Observations:

• Jacob got what he wanted when he finally married Rachel, but she suffered greatly, watching other women have children, thinking she could not fill the promise of GOD.
• Joseph suffered greatly because of his brothers, the Ishmaelites, Potiphar and his wife, the baker and butler and the Egyptians.
• Israel's blessing was on his son Joseph versus the tribe.

 

Israel had adopted Ephraim and Manasseh to be his. The blessing did not exclude Joseph, rather gave him a double portion through his sons. They are known as the house of Joseph. His name would disappear from many lists of the tribes, but would reappear in book of Revelation, symbolizing the merge of the house to prepare for the return of CHRIST.

 

Israel’s sons meant evil for Joseph. Their jealousy led them to plot out his murder. BUT GOD intervened greatly in Joseph’s life. He became the ultimate story of a human who held onto GOD despite every obstacle that was thrown at him. GOD did indeed bless Joseph!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s blessing from Israel?
• Do you think your suffering in in vain?
• Do you believe that your suffering can become a huge blessing through GOD who sees you?

Israel’s Prophecy for Naphtali

 Israel’s Prophecy for Naphtali

Genesis 49:  ²¹ “Naphtali is a deer let loose;
He uses beautiful words.

 

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Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachels maidservant. Rachel referred to Naphtali as a “struggle” because she had a strong sibling rivalry with Leah. She named him Naphtali or “struggle.”

 

My Observations:

• Naphtali also hated Joseph and went along with the plot against his life.
• Israel mixed up the order of birth and went back to talking about Bilhah’s children.
• Israel’s blessing was brief and focused on Naphtali’s physical and verbal agility.

 

The tribe of Naphtali would eventually declare curses or warnings to all the tribes of Israel. Through these curses, the people of Israel would refrain from bad behavior. For example, “Cursed is the man who kills his neighbor secretly.”  Naphtali would indeed use beautiful words as Israel prophesied.

 

There were times when the tribe of Naphtali was brave and there were times, they were cowards. I can definitely relate! They would be featured in a son of Deborah and Barak because they risked their lives in a battle against the Canaanites. But unfortunately, this fight came from them being cowards and not wiping out the Canaanites in the first place. I can’t help but to notice Israel’s intentional order of his son’s blessing. Naphtali’s land would eventually become the land of the Gentiles. GOD did bless Naphtali.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about this brief, yet powerful blessing over Naphtali?
• What beautiful words has GOD given you to tell others?
• Are you able to fight your feelings enough to tell people that GOD is amazing and caring and powerful?

Israel’s Prophecy for Asher

 

Israel’s Prophecy for Asher

Genesis 49: ²⁰ “Bread from Asher shall be rich,
And he shall yield royal dainties..

 

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Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant. Leah referred to Asher as a “one who makes me happy” because she was barren. She named him Asher or “happy.”

 

My Observations:

• Asher also hated Joseph and went along with the plot against his life.
• Israel kept the order of birth and continued talking about Zilpah's children.
• Israel’s blessing was brief and focused on Asher’s eventual wealth through baking and raw material for food.

 

The tribe of Asher would eventually declare curses or warnings to all the tribes of Israel. Through these curses, the people of Israel would refrain from bad behavior. For example “Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother.”

 

Asher’s tribe was indeed blessed by GOD. They were able to speak on the LORD’s behalf and all of the tribes took the words to heart. But this does not mean Asher followed GOD all the time. Like you and I, there were moments of doubt. They did not drive out the Canaanites as commanded. GOD blessed them anyway.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about this brief, yet powerful blessing over Asher?
• Is there a gift or skill you have that you are overlooking?
• Can you praise GOD for your gifts and talents before you see any of HIS blessings poured out on you?

Israel’s Prophecy for Gad

Israel’s Prophecy for Gad

Genesis 49: ¹⁹ “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him,
But he shall triumph at last.

 

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Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and the first son of Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant. Leah referred to Gad as a “good fortune” because she was barren. She named him Gad or “a troop is coming.”

 

My Observations:

• Gad also hated Joseph and went along with the plot against his life.
• Israel skipped the order of birth and also switched from talking about Bilhah’s children to speaking about Zilpah’s first born.
• Israel’s blessing was brief and focused on Gad’s eventual bravery in battle.

 

The tribe of Gad would become a brave fighting tribe of Israel. Even Moses recognized this tribe’s valor in a later blessing. While Gad had his issues with Joseph, He emerged as a leader that seemed to stay with GOD.

 

Some of the other brothers fell away from GOD in their dealings, but Gad seemed to remain faithful. Leah seemed to have influence over Zilpah’s ways. Her sons had their faults, but in the end, followed the LORD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Gad’s valor in war?
• Has your life been a battle?
• Will you remain vigilant by not giving in to the attacks of the enemy?

Israel’s Prophecy for Dan

Israel’s Prophecy for Dan

Genesis 49¹⁶ “Dan shall judge his people
As one of the tribes of Israel.
¹⁷ Dan shall be a serpent by the way,
A viper by the path,
That bites the horse’s heels
So that its rider shall fall backward.
¹⁸ I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!

 

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Dan was the fifth son of Jacob and the first son of Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant. Dan’s name means “judge.” Israel prophesied that Dan would provide Judges, but would cause people to fall.

 

My Observations:

• Danites produced famous judges loke Samson.
• Danites committed idolatry and complained about their land inheritance.
• Danites were not listed in the book of Revelation, but were prophesied and one of Israel’s tribes in the book of Ezekiel.

 

Many Bible scholars have tried to guess the reason Dan is not mentioned in the list in Revelation 7. Some believe it was because of the idolatry; others believe it just happened that the people were wiped out. Whatever the case, they are not mentioned.

 

Bilhah influenced Dan. She also voluntarily slept with Reuben, even though he was Jacob’s son. Dan also hated Joseph and Israel could see this. Israel seems to remorsefully state that he has waited on Dan’s salvation.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Dan being a “serpent?”
• Has anything become an idol in your life?
• Have you reviewed your life to see if any idols have formed that you need to give to GOD?

Israel’s Prophecy for Issachar

Israel’s Prophecy for Issachar

Genesis 49: ¹⁴ “Issachar is a strong donkey,
Lying down between two burdens;
¹⁵ He saw that rest was good,
And that the land was pleasant;
He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden,
And became a band of slaves.

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Issachar was the son that Leah had after being barren for years. Issachar means “Reward.”  Leah was so happy that she was no longer barren that she felt GOD had “rewarded” her. She traded mandrakes to Rachel for a night with Jacob.

 

My Observations:

• Issachar is referred to as a “strong donkey”” meaning he was a very hard worker.
• Issachar was wise enough to rest between receiving payments.
• Issachar became a tribe that was hard working, but never became slaves of any kind.

 

Hard work and reward for the work is attributed to Issachar. Israel must have seen his son work hard in silence, never complaining about the work. This was Israel’s ninth son, but the fifth son of Leah.

 

I can’t help but notice that Israel named all of Leah’s children together during his blessing. He wasn’t just trying to remember them and forgot the order. He was very intentional in his blessing order. Issachar was older than Zebulun, yet was named after him. He was one of the younger sons, so he may have hung out with the children of Leah and Joseph and Benjamin. GOD blessed Issachar.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Issachar’s hard work?
• Have you ever felt that your life had a lot of hard work?
• Can you wait for the blessing your hard work is going to bring from GOD?

Israel’s Prophecy for Zebulun

 Israel’s Prophecy for Zebulun

Genesis 49: 13 “Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea;
He shall become a haven for ships,
And his border shall adjoin Sidon.

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Not much is said about Zebulun in the Bible. Leah praised GOD for having her sixth son. After Judah, she became barren. Rachel and Leah sent in their handmaids Bilhah and Zilpah. Other children were born. Then came Issachar and Zebulun. Leah was no longer barren.

 

My Observations:

• Israel’s prophecy of Zebulun had to be inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• Zebulun was the tenth son of Jacob and the sixth son of Leah, making him one of the younger of the children.
• Zebulun was closer in age to Joseph and Dinah and may have spent more time with the children of Leah and the Joseph.

 

Zebulun did in fact move close to the sea, fulfilling the prophecy of Israel. This tribe would be known for maritime trade. What is strange is the order Israel chose to present his blessing. Dan, Naphtali, Gad Asher and Issachar were older than Zebulun, yet Israel spoke his name before them.

 

There must have been a special anointing on Zebulun for being mentioned earlier. Israel’s blessing was short and to the point. As brief as this mention was, so is the brevity of mentions in the Bible. But GOD has Zebulun’s name written on a structure in heaven. GOD valued him. HE values you and me.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the prophecy of Zebulun?
• Have you ever felt insignificant?
• Do you know that GOD values you as extremely significant more than you could possibly imagine?

Israel’s Prophecy for Judah

Israel’s Prophecy for Judah

Genesis 49: “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;
Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father’s children shall bow down before you.
⁹ Judah is a lion’s whelp;
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?
¹⁰ The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
¹¹ Binding his donkey to the vine,
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes in the blood of grapes.
¹² His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.

 

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Judah went along with the original plan to kill his brother Joseph. But when the caravan of slave traders appeared, he was the one who suggested selling Joseph into slavery versus killing him. Later Judah volunteered to become a slave to save Benjamin.

 

My Observations:

• Israel prophesied the lineage of JESUS through Judah.
• JESUS is referred to as the Lion of Judah.
• JESUS will bring Shiloh, or peace through HIS bloodstained garments.

 

Through Judah came King David. Through David, JESUS was ultimately born. Imagine being filled with so much jealousy, that you would go along with a plot to murder someone. That’s where Judah was. BUT GOD intervened and provided an alternative that Judah voiced.

 

This does not make Judah look any better than his brothers. GOD chose Judah to provide the sinless human. A sinful lineage would produce a sinless human. Judah’s siblings would bow down to JESUS just as Israel prophesied.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the prophesy of JESUS through Israel’s words about Judah?
• Do you think your life is all about you?
• How does your life fit in helping GOD tell people about the imminent return of JESUS?

Israel’s Prophecy for Simeon and Levi

Israel’s Prophecy for Simeon and Levi

Genesis 49: ⁵ “Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Instruments of ^[cruelty are in their dwelling place.
⁶ Let not my soul enter their council;
Let not my honor be united to their assembly;
For in their anger they slew a man,
And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.
⁷ Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel!
I will divide them in Jacob
And scatter them in Israel.

 

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Furious at their sister’s assault, Simeon and Levi decided to take matters in their own hands. They killed the man who violated their sister. They tricked the men of the town to get circumcised and in their pain, they murdered them. Jacob did not forget that Simeon and Levi could have put the family in extreme danger.

 

My Observations:

• Rage was addressed by Jacob because all their lives, Simeon and Levi would immediately go to emotions that would cause people harm.
• Cruelty was addressed by Jacob because they used excessive force to deal with their issues.
• Anger was addressed by Jacob, otherwise known as Israel, as he spoke to them as his father and as the tribal nation GOD promised.

 

Simeon’s tribe would eventually shrink in power. The Levites would not inherit land, but be “scattered” in Israel as prophesied. These men were now older and had acted on their internal rage for decades.

 

It was no surprise to anyone that Jacob gave this prophecy about these two sons. Simeon was thrown in jail by Joseph, skipping Reuben who was the oldest. Joseph may have seen Simeone’s rage when he made his choice. Our emotions can make us do and say things that are not well thought out, just like Simeon and Levi. BUT GOD blessed them anyway.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s dislike of his son’s rage?
• Is rage an emotion that causes you to act without thinking?
• Can you look at rage as your enemy and tame it with GOD’s love, peace and joy?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please guide this reader away from extreme emotional decisions and place YOUR love, joy and peace inside. It does not matter how old he or she is, or what emotional decisions they have made. What matters is that we bow to YOUR grace and mercy. amen

Israel’s Prophecy for Reuben

Israel’s Prophecy for Reuben

Genesis 49: And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:

 

² “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob,
And listen to Israel your father.

 

³ “Reuben, you are my firstborn,
My might and the beginning of my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.
⁴ Unstable as water, you shall not excel,
Because you went up to your father’s bed;
Then you defiled it—
He went up to my couch.

 

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Knowing he was going to die, Jacob called for his sons to hear his last words. He began with the oldest to the youngest. For Reuben he spoke words of excellency of dignity and power, but instability.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob remembered that Reuben slept with one of his wives, Bilhah.
• Jacob may have taught Reuben how to be wealthy and powerful, but recognized his weakness of being doubleminded.
• Reuben crossed a line that could not be repaired, but was not disowned or disinherited.

 

Jacob’s words would come true. No judge, prophet, ruler, or prince came from the tribe or Reuben. Reuben’s decision making would haunt him. Even though Reuben had committed the sin forty years prior, Jacob could never forget it.

 

Reuben tried to stop his brothers from throwing Joseph in the pit. Reuben was not chose by Joseph to throw in jail, rather he chose Simeon, the second born. There may have been some significance in skipping Reuben, but it is not stated. GOD was preparing how the tribes would later interact.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Israel’s prophecy of the tribe of Reuben?
• Have you made mistakes that you regret?
• Are you glad that GOD removed your mistakes away from HIM as far as the east is from the west?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader today. Let him or her know that YOU have accounted for mistakes and that you have forgiven each one. Please show YOUR grace, and mercy today. amen