Daily Reading: Genesis 48
Scripture Focus: But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” (Genesis 48.19)
Devotional Thought: Verse 19 is where we want to focus today, and not because we're the youngest and like where it’s headed. Why was the primary blessing given to the younger of the two grandsons? Joseph had a clear idea of who should receive the greater blessing, demonstrated by where he placed them in relation to Jacob’s hands (the right hand was “supposed” to go on the firstborn). And despite Jacob’s failing eyesight, he knew exactly what he was doing when he switched his hands around.
God knows what he is doing, even when we don’t understand, even when it might not even make sense. Joseph should have been the first person to understand this. This is the fifth time in Genesis that we see a reversal of birth order, with Joseph himself being the fourth!
We are all chosen by God - he wants to claim all of us and make us his sons and daughters, as Jacob adopted his grandsons (v. 5). But how do we react when others receive different blessings than we receive? How do we respond when God changes the order of something we had already decided on? If we are honest, we probably don’t respond well. Like Joseph, we probably get upset and try to switch things back to the way we deem appropriate. But God reminds us that He knows.
I think we often do the same thing. God shows us over and over that He is in control… and when something doesn’t go as planned, we immediately forget all those other things and say, “Not this way God, you have it wrong!” Spoiler alert? He doesn’t have it wrong. He always knows.
-Amy and Evan Berry
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessings you have specifically chosen for each one of us. Please help me to follow your path, because your way and will are always right. Thank you for your patience and guidance when I do not understand or even stubbornly still choose my own way. May I grow closer to you and follow your plan daily. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; (Psalms 45:1-7)
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