Gen 49:22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring….”
Jacob, Israel, has reached the end of his life. We see, as he is blessing his sons, particularly in this section where he is blessing Joseph, that he, Jacob, finally seems to have a real and personal knowledge of who God is.
Gen 49:24 “But his bow remained steady… because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel….”
In Gen 31:53, Jacob refers to God as “…the God of Abraham.” He knew God through his father’s relationship with God. In this section, he refers to God as “the Mighty one of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel” (Gen 49:24), “your father’s God, the Almighty” (Gen 49:25). This God is personal to Jacob. This is a God that he has formed a relationship with, that he has personally come to know and understand. That is what I want for my own children—for them to know and love and trust God, not because I do, but because they have come to know Him personally.
Gen 49:25 “…because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you….”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for wanting and pursuing a relationship with us. Help us each to pursue a personal relationship with You. Help us to lean into You, to trust You, to know You for ourselves, on a personal level. Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 49:26 “Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessing of ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills….”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.