38 lines
4.5 KiB
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38 lines
4.5 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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October 29
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<h1>Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future, by Faith</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>By <b>faith Isaac blessed</b> Jacob and Esau concerning <b>things</b> to <b>come</b>. By <b>faith Jacob</b>, when he was <b>dying</b>, <b>blessed</b> each of the sons of Joseph.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '20-21');">Hebrews 11:20-21</a>)</div>
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<p>Since we have previously considered Abraham's offering of Isaac (in the meditation on God's promises on August 9), let's move on to consider <b>Isaac</b> and <b>Jacob</b>. While pronouncing prophetic blessings upon their descendants, these two men became examples of <b>viewing the future, by faith</b>.</p>
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<p>The example of <b>Isaac</b> actually occurred in the midst of a deceitful plot by one of his own sons. Isaac wanted to pass on a blessing to his oldest son, Esau. <i>"Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called <b>Esau</b> his older son and said to him…'Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may <b>bless you</b> before I die'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 27, '1-1');">Genesis 27:1</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Gen', 27, '4-4');">4</a>). Jacob (the supplanter or "schemer") disguised himself and lied to his father, attempting to steal the blessing. <i>"And <b>Jacob</b> said to his father, 'I am <b>Esau</b> your firstborn…sit and eat of my game, that your soul may <b>bless me</b>'…And he did not recognize him…<b>so</b> he <b>blessed him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 27, '19-19');">Genesis 27:19</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Gen', 27, '23-23');">23</a>). Although Esau later was given a blessing as well, the blessing for Jacob passed on the headship of the family to this younger son. <i>"Be <b>master</b> over your <b>brethren</b>, and let your mother's sons <b>bow</b> down to <b>you</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 27, '29-29');">Genesis 27:29</a>). When informed of the deceit, Isaac let the blessing stand. The Lord indicates this was an act of <b>faith</b> in the purposes of God.</p>
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<p>The example of <b>Jacob</b> also occurred in an unusual setting. Joseph was bringing his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a family blessing. <i>"Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 48, '10-10');">Genesis 48:10</a>). Joseph brought Ephraim (the younger) toward Jacob's left hand and Manasseh (the firstborn) toward his right hand. However, Jacob crossed his hands, thereby switching the primary blessing. <i>"And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 48, '18-19');">Gen 48:18-19</a>).</p>
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<p>These actions may not seem significant to us. Yet, the Lord lists them as <b>notable</b> steps of <b>faith</b> in <b>Him</b>. Why? Because these blessings reflected and instituted aspects of God's sovereign plans, in spite of inappropriate scheming and established traditions.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O sovereign Lord, I bow in faith to Your perfect plans and purposes. What a comfort to know that Your will cannot be thwarted by inappropriate schemes or established traditions. Teach me to view the future with faith in Your wisdom and Your sovereignty.</div>
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