When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 49:33)
There are strong themes in the book of Genesis. Two in particular are outstanding in this chapter: faith and blessing.
As Israel calls his sons to his deathbed what he says to each of them, he is only able to do because of accepting his part in the lineage of faith. He was the recipient of the blessing from his father. He had lived to see the faithfulness of God in his life take him through hardship and heartache to end his life far richer than he had started it. As such, he can play his part in ensuring the blessing is passed onto the next generation and the foundation of a people is set through the generations of faithfulness and blessing.
In as much as we have become sophisticated these days with the advances of technology, there is something about knowing our place in the context of faith. We did not just arrive on the planet. We did not just make up faith in a god of our liking. Historical events have taken place and set in motion the building of a narrative of the blessing of God on the world He has created. The generation of faith before us have carried on the pattern from the generation before. We have received it from them and have an opportunity to be a blessing to the generation to come so that they will carry on the theme of faith and blessing.
To exercise this faith, requires that trust in the author of the faith. A faith ironed out through encounters and experiences with Him. A faith proven in our own walk with Him where He continually shows Himself faithful even in our failings. A faith that stretches us beyond those failing to fulfil the fruitfulness that were blessed with in the target of our faith.
As we live that out for the world to see, perhaps we will come to the stage where like Israel, we can gather those who will carry on after us and encourage them to carry the faith along. All to be done before we’re gathered to be with God’s people.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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