Jacob failed math

Genesis 49:22-26

Joseph was Rachel’s first son, he was not Jacob’s first son, in fact he was number eleven, but Jacob was not counting correctly because he counted Joseph as his first.  I can only guess at the reason, it may have its roots in the event of Laban tricking him into marrying Leah, when his heart was only for Rachel, and he blamed all of his problems on having to marry Leah.  It also is apparent, that the two servant women were also forced on him by Rachel and Leah to meet their needs, not Jacob’s.  This is obvious, Joseph was his daddy’s favorite and this may have contributed to his arrogance as a young boy, especially to his older brothers.  But lest we forget, Joseph was part of the plan of God to save his family from the famine that was coming on the earth.

It is also clear to all, brothers and dad, that God has put Joseph in the job of CEO of Egypt and that the hand of God is all over him.  Now it is time for the father’s blessing, and Jacob, speaking as the Spirit is leading him, has this to say; “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall.  The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessing of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts of the womb.  The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills.  May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.”

What a blessing, Jacob being lead by the Spirit of God, said you are like a branch or tree by a spring.  Your source is Creator God, and in Him you have delighted.  Many years later David has this to say about a man like Joseph: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.”

John Mark and Zachary David, my prayer is that at some point you will read these words your granddad has written, and that both of you will be men whose source is Jesus Christ, and in Him will be your delight and fellowship.  That you will not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, but your delight will be in obeying the word of God and seeking His face.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Bob