Title The Word is Fulfilled
Contents
* Last week's (5.22) sermon text: Genesis 49:22-26
Words are fulfilled
“It is from the God of your father, who will help you.
of the Almighty, and he will bless you.”
Man's sin must be exposed. The sex scandal involving the world-famous golf player Tiger Woods and the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) proves this. No matter how hidden and secret a sin is, the sin must pay the price. We cannot dare to deceive God. That is why our faith must become more sincere and grow.
In last week's sermon, we looked at Jacob's will in Genesis 49. The text in Genesis 49 is the scene where Jacob blessed Joseph, whom he loved and cherished the most among his 12 sons. This blessing has several characteristics.
First, it states that Joseph is the channel of blessing. In verse 22, Jacob refers to Joseph twice as “a lush branch.” Koreans would find this expression rather strange. Because most of the trees in our country are thick. But if you go to the Middle East, you can feel it. why? Because it is rare for trees to be lush in that country. It's so hot that the leaves can't grow. So, the fact that the branch crossed the fence because the leaves weren't lush means that the blessing affects others as well. In fact, we are well aware that Joseph's becoming prime minister eventually relieved the suffering of all the descendants of Jacob and the people of Egypt who were in crisis of famine due to famine.
Second, it indicates that Joseph has the blessing of reversal. Let's read verses 23-24. What does this mean? In the past, Joseph's brothers and Potiphar's wife framed and tried to kill him, but God exalted him and Joseph overcame them. Now, it means that this blessing will continue to appear in Joseph's life in the future. Why? Because God is Joseph's supporter.
Third, it declares that offspring will prosper. In verse 25, the expression “blessed are the breastfeeding and the blessing of the womb” proves this very fact. And the surprising thing is that these blessings have been fulfilled in abundance. For example, after the Israelites left Egypt, there are two censuses in the wilderness. The census puts the total population of Israel at about 600,000. Among them, the number of Joseph descendants was recorded as 72,000 at the first census, which is the largest among the 12 tribes. At the second census, many tribes decreased, while the descendants of Joseph were counted at 85,200, the largest increase. In other words, they will have two to four times the population of the tribes of Reuben and Simeon, who were cursed by their father Jacob. In ancient societies, a large population meant the most powerful force and influence. Even after 500 years of Jacob's blessing on Joseph, the blessing is fulfilled.
Fourth, it prophesies that outstanding leaders will come from the descendants of Joseph. Verse 26, “they will return to the top of the best of their brethren” proves this very fact. And according to this blessing of Jacob, outstanding leaders come out of the descendants of Joseph, and the representative figure is Joshua. In addition, in the period of the judges after Joshua, the judges who rescued Israel from crisis appeared, and more than 2/3 of them are the descendants of Joseph. The representative figures are Deborah and Gideon.
Dear saints,
God's blessings do not have an expiration date like this. Rather, the blessing multiplies over time. Why did Joseph receive overflowing blessings? The reason is so simple. Because he had the vision God gave him, he did not get frustrated even in the midst of hardship and trusted God to the end. I believe that you too will experience this blessing given to Joseph and his descendants when you live as people of faith and trust in God to the end no matter what the circumstances. As Joseph received the eternal reward, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become the saints who are victorious by faith, looking at the blessing that the effect will multiply as time goes by.