Today’s scripture: Genesis 49 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Jeff Miner):
In today’s passage, Jacob, on his death bed, summons his 12 sons to speak his last words of admonition. “Gather around,” he says in verse 1, “that I may tell you what will happen to you in days to come.” Based on what he says, it appears Jacob is predicting the future for each of his sons based not on supernatural insight but on careful observation. Jacob had watched his sons closely over a lifetime, and now was able to predict the general course of their future based on the level of character each son had exhibited.
The lesson was that character shapes our future.
Rueben had an impetuous streak. Therefore, Dad said, “Unstable as water, you shall no longer excel” (vs. 4). Rueben’s impetuousness was bound to catch up with him.
Simeon and Levi both had an anger problem. It wasn’t hard for Dad to predict that people around them would respond in kind, resulting in all kinds of conflict in their lives. Live by the sword; die by the sword. So Dad said that Simeon and Levi would be “divided” and “scattered” (vs. 7).
Joseph, by contrast, had lived a life of extraordinary goodness. As we’ve seen, no matter how many setbacks he faced in life, Joseph kept faith, and ultimately even graciously saved the lives of his brothers who had sold him into slavery. Dad knew that this kind of goodness would come back to Joseph on many waves. So, for Joseph, Dad said, “The God of your father will help you, and the Almighty will bless you with blessings from heaven above” (vs. 25).
Suppose someone were to look into our lives with the same unvarnished honesty as Jacob did with his sons? Based on our attitudes, our integrity, our virtues and vices, what kind of future would they predict for us?
Not long ago, a mother in our church was driving as her little girl rode in the car seat in the back. As they came to a stop light, there was a beggar on the corner. The little girl asked why he was begging. Mom explained that he had no money for food. Her little girl happened to be holding a dollar in her hand — a prized possession for a 5-year-old. She asked, “If I give him my dollar, can he get some food?” Mom said, “Probably.” Her little girl thought for a moment, then said she wanted to give it to him. Mom pulled up, rolled down the window, and let her little girl hand her dollar directly to the man, so she could see what generosity feels like. Needless to say, the beggar was blown away. So was Mom!
What a generous and kind child! Based on her depth of character, it would not be difficult for her Mom to predict her little girl’s future. To paraphrase the words of Jacob, “The God of your mother will help you, and the Almighty will bless you with many blessings from heaven above.”
Thought For the day: If character shapes my future, what kind of future am I crafting?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.