Israel’s Intentional Blessing

Israel’s Intentional Blessing

Genesis 48: ¹² So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. ¹³ And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. ¹⁴ Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. ¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph, and said:

 

“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
¹⁶ The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
Bless the lads;
Let my name be named upon them,
And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

 

============

 

Joseph knew that Israel was about to speak the blessing from GOD. He brought his sons in to receive the blessing. He made sure that Manasseh’s head was in reach of Israel’s right hand and Ephraim’s head on his left. Israel crossed his hands and blessed Ephraim  and Manasseh.

 

My Observations:

• GOD led Israel to cross his hands when blessing Joseph’s sons.
• Israel blessed Joseph, but his focus was on Ephraim and Manasseh.
• The Angel who has redeemed is the preincarnate JESUS.

 

Israel finally got it! His words did not contain any complaint, only blessings. He knew that JESUS guided him and poured out a blessing on Joseph and his sons. He intentionally crossed his hands being led by the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

This intentionality would in fact, play out later in the gifts given to each tribe. Israel adopted Joseph’s sons as his own and blessed them with an inheritance that was greater than earthly wealth.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Israel’s intentional crossing of his hands?
• Has GOD intentionally put you somewhere so HIS blessing can be placed on you?
• What blessing is GOD intentionally placing on you?

Participate Anyway

Participate Anyway

Galatians 4:¹⁷ Those other people show a deep interest in you, but their intentions are not good. All they want is to separate you from me, so that you will have the same interest in them as they have in you. ¹⁸ Now, it is good to have such a deep interest if the purpose is good—this is true always, and not merely when I am with you. ¹⁹ My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ's nature is formed in you. ²⁰ How I wish I were with you now, so that I could take a different attitude toward you. I am so worried about you!

 

============

 

After a long day I sat on the bus headed home. Traffic was thick so we creeped down the street. I looked out the window and saw people from my school taking an alternate route since the main one was filled. I could also see thugs waiting to rob them.

 

• I felt there was nothing I could do.
• I felt bad for the those who were about to be victimized.
• I felt angry at those who were trying to take advantage of others for their own gain.

 

Paul expresses his deep concern for those who have turned away from the saving message of JESUS to follow other messages that provided temporary hope. Thieves desiring attention were busy trying to steal love versus living it. All Paul could do is be concerned from a distance. It seemed hopeless.

 

My Observations

• When I see someone being wronged, I can ask GOD to intercede.
• GOD lets me know that prayer is more powerful than thieves, even though it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.
• Vengeance is for the LORD so my participation is for all people involved to receive HIS mercy.

 

It is painful to watch someone try to steal people’s hearts. I mean, those who are hurt try their best to keep other people hurt because misery loves company. BUT GOD holds the key to that situation.

 

It takes faith to let go of the obvious trap you can see someone walking into. GOD sees the heart of those who are being victimized and those who are being predators. HE hears your prayers even though you may have to participate from a distance. I am glad GOD intervenes and intercedes for those HE is bringing back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What “other people” is the writer speaking about?
• Can you feel the writers pain and passion for everyone he spoke the gospel to?
• If you see someone intentionally trying to hurt someone and you are not able to directly intervene, will you participate anyway by asking GOD for HIS protection and mercy?

Intentional

 

Intentional

1 Corinthians 16: Now, concerning what you wrote about the money to be raised to help God's people in Judea. You must do what I told the churches in Galatia to do. ² Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. ³ After I come, I shall give letters of introduction to those you have approved, and send them to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems worthwhile for me to go, then they can go along with me.

 

============

 

Driving in a certain area of this city, I noticed the restaurants, stores and services. I noted what I saw so I could come back one day. But when I served a homeless shelter, the van driver drove the same street pointing out homeless people. I did not notice them! The longer we rode around the more embarrassed I was because they were right in front of my face and I did not see them.

 

• The homeless were invisible to me.
• The homeless were unseen because I was thinking of my own problems.
• The homeless were not even a thought during my normal day to day escapades.

 

Paul addresses what to do with the money they raised for those in need. They must have had a desire to give and wanted to know how. Paul gave a guideline to be intentional and set aside some money to give to those in need. He also challenged them to “go” and see those in need.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be intentional about giving to those in need.
• GOD wants me to also go and help those in need.
• GOD wants me to be checked out by others to ensure I am serving with the right motive.

 

Serving the needy is important to GOD. I mean, there are enough evil people who rob, steal and kill. GOD sees that too. BUT HE sends people to comfort those in need. There are many who need and people cannot see.

 

Some may appear rich but are in need. Others may just be barely hanging on but appear as if everything is alight. GOD wants me to be intentional in seeking those in need so my service will be to HIM. I am glad people saw me when I was in need and equally glad to serve those HE shows me.

 

Challenge

• Do you see the desire to give form this group?
• What ways can you be more intentional in your giving?
• Is there something you could postpone so you can give to those in need?
• Are you in need and barely hanging on?

 

Dear LORD, this is a special prayer for those in need. Please provide today. amen

Ill intent seeks bad advice

2 Samuel 13: ³ Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. ⁴ He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”

Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

⁵ “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”

============

After being told I would fail the class, I sought the advice of people who could help me. They asked the professors name and the location of the office. These were strange pieces of information, but I told them. They asked very clearly, “do you want the test?”

I considered it. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I was performing so poorly in the class, that even having the test would not help me. “No” I answered pitifully.

• I can always find someone who will go along with my poor thinking.
• I can always get advice from people who do not have the best plan for me in mind.
• I can always obtain bad consultation from people of bad reputation.

The story of Amnon was tragic. Many were spiritually, emotionally and physically hurt all because of a plan that started off in the wrong direction followed by advice from a person with a poor reputation. It reminds me of many plans I have that were not blessed of GOD. Each plan failed miserably with not so good consequences. BUT GOD has a better plan.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS plan for they never fail.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS ways for they protect and keep me.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS love for me and others and to never mistreat souls who belong to HIM.

When my intentions are focused on GOD I can never fail.

• Are you planning something and getting advice from someone who is questionable?
• Are you providing advice without consulting GOD?
• Can you seek wisdom from a godly person, not just a churchy person?
• Won’t you test all advice to see if it aligns with what GOD says to do?

I was made for this!

Ephesians 2: ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

============

Lying, cheating and stealing is where I found myself at one point in my life.  I mean it was harmless to say “fine” when in reality I was hurting inside so I wasn’t really lying right? Also I was working to pay for college so I didn’t have time to really write “that” paper so I asked someone to do it for me but that isn’t really cheating right?

And the company I worked for made billions so they expect for me to copy flyers at work and staple books together. It was for a “good cause” so they won’t mind and that’s not stealing right?

• No matter how good my intentions are my sin bubbles out of me.
• No matter how I try to hide my sins GOD can still see what I am doing.
• No matter how much I try to justify my actions I am still responsible for my sins.

One day I sat in my apartment and I looked at my life.  I was used to “stretching” the truth to get my way or stay out of trouble. I was used to “taking short cuts” in lieu of doing the work. I was used to getting some service for free otherwise known as “the hook up.” Where was I? Was I made for this? NO!

• GOD saved me in the middle of my sin because of HIS grace.
• GOD saved me to do “good works.”
• GOD saved me as a gift to me and doesn’t want me to waste HIS gift of grace.

Good works do not save me rather I was made for GOD’s good works. HIS grace and mercy makes me look at “my” life rather than looking at others and I definitely see I am not worthy of HIS grace but I accept HIS gift wholeheartedly. I can celebrate with others by doing good works instead of complaining about what people are saying or doing.

I can tell people about the love of GOD’s SON, JESUS who saved any who believe. That’s what I was made for!

• Where are you?
• What sin is holding you back from doing GOD’s “good works?”
• Do you believe in GOD’s grace for you or are you trying to work for HIS favor?
• Won’t you celebrate HIS grace by forgetting your sin and focusing others on HIS love?