FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11
Lesson Ten – V.21
Examples of the ancients who were commended for their faith: (Cont’d.)
JACOB – V.21 – By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
See Genesis 48. [Genesis 48:1 – Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him.
Some time later – Note Genesis 47:27-31 – 27Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.
28Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. 29When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.” “I will do as you say,” he said.
31“Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
(V.27) – This was in contrast to the Egyptians who were impoverished due to the great famine.
Let us thank the Lord for the blessing of Psalm 33:18-19 – 18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
(V.28) – Note Isaiah 46:4 – Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
(V.29) – … put your hand under my thigh – The Amplified Bible notes: “This was a customary manner of taking a solemn oath. The gesture was a reference to the mark of circumcision, the sign of God’s covenant, which is equivalent to our laying our hand upon the Bible. (Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible with A Commentary).”
Genesis 48:3-4 – 3Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me 4and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’ See Genesis 28:10-19; 35:6-15.
Genesis 48:12 – Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.
The placing of Ephraim and Manasseh on Israel’s knees was a “sign” that he had accepted them as his sons. Note Genesis 48:5 – “Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.
Let us thank the Lord for the blessing of being accepted as His children, as the following passages indicate.
John 1:12-13 – 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Romans 8:14-17 – 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 – 17“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Galatians 4:4-7 – 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
See Ephesians 1:3-12 (Amplified Bible).
1 John 3:1-3 (Amplified Bible) – SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.
2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.
3 And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).
Also, let us thank the Lord that there is a “sign” for us as well. Note: Acts 11:15-18 – 15“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”
18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
See Luke 11:9-13 – (V.13 – If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”)
Genesis 48:13-20 – Regarding the blessing of Ephraim above Manasseh, as with Jacob and Esau (Lesson Nine), let us thank the Lord that believers are equally blessed.]