At the end of his life, Jacob blesses each of his sons. This lengthy blessing has as its foundation the promise that God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and it is clear that Jacob expects his family to increase and to possess the land of Canaan. Even though they are in Egypt, Jacob still has faith in the promise of God.

Let’s look at the first four brothers. Reuben, Simeon and Levi are all passed over for leadership because of their past behaviour. Instead, it is Judah who is raised up to be a leader of the tribes. Judah had sinned in the past but had since repented and shown a complete change of character. This is honoured in Jacob’s blessing.

By elevating Judah, Jacob saved the Israelites from being placed under a leader who might have been reckless, violent or impulsive. Being born first was not a good enough qualification for leadership – other qualities are needed, and Judah had demonstrated those qualities.

We have seen so often in Genesis how God has upset the ‘human’ order of things. Neither Isaac, Jacob, nor Judah were the first-born sons, and yet they were the ones whom God chose. The older sons may have felt entitled to a high position, but God sees into the heart of a person.

In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminded the Christians that many of them were uneducated, poor and of humble status, but “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). We do not earn our salvation, or a special role in the Kingdom of God because of long service, or high status, or because we feel we are entitled to it. God bestows his blessings where he chooses, and he is always looking beyond outward appearances. May we serve him with humility and faithfulness..

next devotional >>

 

 

NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH