The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 8 february 2023 – TOPIC: GOD’S ELECTION
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TOPIC: GOD’S ELECTION
13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him.
14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the ofirstborn.
15 And he blessed Joseph, and said:
“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
17 Now when Joseph saw that his father ulaid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
19 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 whis younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”
20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!’ ” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.
22 Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand aof the Amorite with my sword and my bow.”
THE MESSAGE:
Joseph brought his two sons – Manasseh and Ephraim, for his father to bless them. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Jacob placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim (the younger) and his left hand on the head of Manasseh (the elder). Joseph tried to exchange the hands, believing that because of his father’s visual impairment, he did not know what he was doing. However, Jacob refused, blessed them and told Joseph that God will bring them back to Canaan.
God is sovereign and can bless whosoever He wants. He preferred Jacob to Esau. He preferred Joseph (the 11th) to his elder brothers. God shows mercy and compassion upon whom He decides. You cannot query God’s choice or his election. “No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘what have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35). If God decides to bless you above your siblings, it is His choice. It should humble you and make you grateful to Him. It does not call for disrespect to your elders. As parents, let us ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we pronounce blessings upon our children or grandchildren.
PRAYER: We thank You Lord for You know the reason why You prefer us to others better than us. Help us to be grateful. Amen.
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