Genesis – First, God


I know a few stories of our ancestors of how they came to this country in which future generations settled. But I don’t know what they had, what things they passed on, how they lived and how prosperous they were. I only know that they loved God with all their hearts, minds and souls. God was echoed from previous generations to my grandparents to parents to me. God was, is and always will be echoed through the lives of our family. God is echoed with a resounding message of saving love, mercy and grace. I cannot begin to tell you of the gratitude I have for this echoing heritage.
We are not perfect but we are perfectly forgiven. We know the Source of life and Who to run to for assurance and help in troubled times. We trust that God knows what is best and will lead us and transform us continually until we see him face to face. I pray that is my echo to my children and grandchildren and their children. God’s echo cannot be stopped in the lives of those who love Him. That’s a promise.
Genesis 48, The Message
1-2 Some time after this conversation, Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” He took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and went to Jacob. When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come,” he roused himself and sat up in bed.

8 Just then Jacob noticed Joseph’s sons and said, “Who are these?”
9-11 Joseph told his father, “They are my sons whom God gave to me in this place.”
“Bring them to me,” he said, “so I can bless them.” Israel’s eyesight was poor from old age; he was nearly blind. So Joseph brought them up close. Old Israel kissed and embraced them and then said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has let me see your children as well!”
12-16 Joseph took them from Israel’s knees and bowed respectfully, his face to the ground. Then Joseph took the two boys, Ephraim with his right hand setting him to Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand setting him to Israel’s right, and stood them before him. But Israel crossed his arms and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim who was the younger and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, the firstborn. Then he blessed them:

my fathers Abraham and Isaac,
The God who has been my shepherd
all my life long to this very day,
The Angel who delivered me from every evil,
Bless the boys.
May my name be echoed in their lives,
and the names of Abraham and Isaac, my fathers,
And may they grow
covering the Earth with their children.
17-18 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he thought he had made a mistake, so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s, saying, “That’s the wrong head, Father; the other one is the firstborn; place your right hand on his head.”
19-20 But his father wouldn’t do it. He said, “I know, my son; but I know what I’m doing. He also will develop into a people, and he also will be great. But his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will enrich nations.” Then he blessed them both:
Israel will use your names to give blessings:
May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.
In that he made it explicit: he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
21-22 Israel then said to Joseph, “I’m about to die. God be with you and give you safe passage back to the land of your fathers. As for me, I’m presenting you, as the first among your brothers, the ridge of land I took from Amorites with my sword and bow.”
THINK ABOUT IT…

Jacob was bedfast, his sight was failing (v. 8), and he knew that the end was near. But when Joseph walked into the room, Jacob mustered enough strength to sit up on the side of his bed and talk with his son about matters that were too important to delay. He didn’t talk about the difficulties of his life; he spoke about God Almighty (vv. 3, 11, 15, 20-21) and what He had done for His servant.
“May my name be echoed in their lives,” says Jacob. May Who I followed be echoed to future generations is what he is asking in his blessings. May he be remembered for Who he followed and Who was with him in good times and bad.
Jacob, like his fathers before him transferred this blessing of knowing God and fulfilling His promise on to his sons. Yes, there were properties, but God is the main theme of the blessing.
HOLY PAUSE

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
–Jesus (Matthew 6:21)
Where is your heart?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Wow, who we are and what we do is reflected and echoed in the lives our children forever. Forgive us when the echo bring trouble and strife, confusion and unrest. Fill us with your Holy Spirit who transforms us to be more and more like you. May our children know, without doubt, that you are the most important relationship to have and to hold forever because of your echo in our lives.
In Jesus Name, Amen