Old Testament: Gen 49.23–25

To read the Bible in a year, read Genesis 49–50 on January 21, In the year of our Lord Christ 2022

By Don Ruhl 

If you have read the first 48 chapters of Genesis, you know the touching story of Joseph, how his brothers mistreated him, but then how he forgave them later and provided for them all that they needed. 

How did he do that? What enabled him to remain faithful to God even after other men of God hated him? How did he have the strength of spirit to forgive them and even provide for them? 

Before Jacob died, he blessed his sons, and of Joseph he said in part: 

“The archers have bitterly grieved him,
Shot at him and hated him.
But his bow remained in strength,
And the arms of his hands were made strong
By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
By the God of your father who will help you,
And by the Almighty who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.”

– Genesis 49.23–25 

The hands of the Mighty God of Jacob enabled Joseph to be the man that he was. The same God would bless Joseph and the tribe (or tribes), that would form from him. 

Questions: 

• Can you forgive those who have hated you and hurt you? 
• If not, what do you think you need to do to become like Joseph? 

To subscribe go to EmailDevotionals.com and click “Follow”