Each blessing different.
Each blessing fitting for each son.
This is the end of the beginning. The closing of Genesis. The twelve tribes have each been established and Jacob has passed knowing that his work is done – he has blessed each of his sons accordingly.
Jacob’s death may have brought peace and rest to his body, but it created fear and worry in the hearts of his sons for they knew that they had sold Joseph to slavery as a small boy and he was now in power.
However, Joseph had no intention of taking advantage of his brothers. He responded to their fear in love and kindness:
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that my people should be kept alive as they are today.
So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Skip ahead to the New Testament: Matthew 15
Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.
Our words are defined by our heart. What I choose to say reflects that state of my heart – goodness, selfishness, hatred, love – my words are a direct path to my heart.
Skip back once again to the Old Testament: Genesis 50
The state of Joseph’s heart is clearly reflected by his choice to tenderly care for his brother’s – undeserving as they may be – he loved them.
Even though Joseph was born years before the birth of the Christ, Joseph’s life is a reflection of the Savior. He gives generous grace overlooking the flaws of his brothers and living out of the knowledge that God used their evil for His good.
I wish I could always say that my heart was a reflection of goodness, but time and time again I find myself falling short. My selfish desire to make sure that justice is served overrides goodness. I want to make sure that people are justly handled according to their actions while I myself forget that I was not justly handled by my Savior. I do not deserve the sacrifice of the Savior yet he died anyway.
Jesus, My Sweet Savior –
Please continue to refine my heart. Time and time again draw me close to you so that I may live in this truth. May my words reflect your truth rooted in the center of my heart.
Lisa
Sixty-six books in a year 