TOPIC: A FATHER BLESSING II 

OPENING PRAYER: Sanctify my life dear Lord as I study your word in Jesus name.

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 49.1‐28

 MESSAGE

Some people are blessed to be able to recognise their dying moments. This was the case with Jacob. He knew that his departure was imminent so, he purposefully invited his sons to share his parting words with them, words he declared to be prophetic (vs.1‐2).

A careful reading will show that Jacob’s pronouncements, either positive or negative, were linked with how each son had lived his life (vs.3‐4, cf., 35:22; v.7, cf., 34:25‐29 etc).

Interestingly, these were not always unchangeable destinies for the descendants of each one. God’s grace is always at work; and so is human will! Despite the strongly negative words said against Levi by his father, it was his tribe that the Lord set apart to be priests for the people of Israel (see Exodus 32:26‐29).

Also, it was not through the favoured tribe of Joseph who replaced Reuben as the firstborn that the Messiah was ultimately to come but through the tribe of Judah. Read again vs.21‐26. The blessings pronounced on Joseph were extraordinary.

Notice the reason he survived all attacks on his life (vs.24‐25). A Ghanaian Pentecostal chorus, “Nia Yehowa ahyira no” translates “No human being can destroy the one whom God has blessed” (see Isaiah 54:17). We can also claim God’s blessings as His children, but we must live in obedience as Joseph did.

Closing Prayer
• Lord, please help me to always live a holy life, being mindful of my status as your heir and joint heir with Christ.

One Year Bible Reading Plan
Jeremiah 37‐39.

NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN

Mon, 22-Aug-2022

THANK GOD FOR:
☀ Our elderly brethren who have run and are still running this Christian race.
☀ The biblical passage they read daily that spurs them on to continue pushing forward.

PRAY FOR:
☛ Our elderly fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who have labored and are still laboring in God’ s vineyard especially in SU.
☛ Grace for them to finish strong and well as they continue to follow the Lord and fellowship with the brethren.
☛ Spiritual and physical strength for them to continue to press on, until the end so they can receive the heavenly prize.