When Jacob
appears in Genesis chapter 48, he is a man of faith. Here we have the last
words of a man to his family. The writer to the Hebrews considered Jacob’s acts
and words so sacred, he said this about him: “By faith Jacob, when he was
dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of
his staff” (Hebrews 11:21). This act was considered worthy of including in the
“Hall of Faith” chapter.
When Jacob
blessed Joseph’s sons, a curious thing happened. Although Joseph had positioned
his oldest son, Manasseh, in front of his father’s right hand and Ephraim in
front of his father’s left hand, Jacob crossed his hands. He placed his left
hand on the oldest and his right hand on the youngest. Joseph was speechless.
Everything Joseph knew said the oldest should receive the greater blessing, so
he protested to his father. Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one
is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." But his father refused
and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too
will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,
and his descendants will become a group of nations" (Genesis 48:18-19).
Though
Joseph had a difficult time understanding how this could be, Jacob was
unwavering. This was God’s doing. This blessing came from God, and he was
delivering it as God indicated. Jacob had learned to trust God even when it
didn’t make sense.
God’s grace
is never captive to human demands, position or privilege. God’s grace is sovereign,
and it operates on his principles. Such is the case that Cain’s offering is rejected
and Able’s accepted, Jacob over Esau, and Ephraim over Manasseh.
How
invigorating to serve the sovereign God of the universe. He answers to no one,
especially not to us. Jacob learned this, and that is why it says that when he
was dying, he blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the
top of his staff (Heb. 11:21).
I love what Marcus
Dods writes:
Again and again, for years together, we put forward
some cherished desire to God’s right hand, and are displeased, like Joseph,
that still the hand of greater blessing should pass to some other thing. Does
God not know what is oldest with us, what has been longest at our hearts, and
is dearest to us? Certainly he does: “I know it, My son, I know it,” He answers
to all our expostulations. It is not because He does not understand or regard
your predilections, your natural and excusable preferences that He sometimes
refuses to gratify your whole desire, and pours upon you blessings of a kind
somewhat different from those you most earnestly covet. He will give you the
whole that Christ hasth merited; but for the application and distribution of
that grace and blessing you must be content to trust Him.[1]
How many
times do we complain to God that his blessings are not coming in the right
order, and he still answers “I know my son, I know.” The key to experience
grace the way Jacob did is to trust the way Jacob did.
No comments:
Post a Comment