Chosen to be a Blessing
Deu 27:11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, 12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: 13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
Moses was close to the end of his days. An important aspect of the life of the Israelites was to hear the law … understanding that God blesses us when we obey Him and there are curses that will come if we disobey. The tribes were to gather around different mountains and different tribes would declare blessings and different the curses. The house of Joseph were amongst those to declare the blessing with the house of Judah. This is further symbolic of the ancestry of Joseph who was not just blessed but a blessing to the entire tribe.
May God make you not just a blessing but an instrument to teach people the importance of hearing and obeying the truths of God. Others will have the role of reminding you that God abhors disobedience and there are curses for the disobedient. Have you heard people say God cannot do this or cannot do that or that miracles are for the bible days…preaching often to a people who already refuse to hear talk less of obeying the laws and commandments. There are many examples of rebellion and disobedience that teach us that curses are harvested from rebellion. These are like those on Mount Ebal.
Indeed the disobedient are cursed …but the tribe of Joseph amongst others are chosen to bless. Christ is of the house of Judah, another tribe chosen to bless. Indeed Christ spoke hard words and said woe to the Pharisees …but His life was a blessing to those who surrendered to Him and a curse to those who didn’t.
You are chosen to be a blessing to others, to be an instrument God will use to increase others in the knowledge of Him and encourage others to obey Him fully. To remind others that God is a God who opens His good treasure …making us the head. In the parable of the talents …the lazy one who buried His talent declared that God is a wicked master. I see that our lives can preach the goodness and blessings of God teaching and encouraging others to model their lives to do the same – like the life of Joseph …or our lives can model what happens when God’s laws are disregarded. Joseph modeled the unfathomable possibilities available when God is pleased with us. As you read this devotional, be committed to make your life a letter that teaches that God blesses the obedient. Tell God you do not want to be a parable to warn others of the wrath that comes when we refuse to hearken to and obey God’s laws. What kind of preacher are you? What is your life preaching to others?
Song.
Lead me Lord I will follow
Lead me Lord – I will;
You have called me – I will answer,
Lead me Lord – I will Go.
Prayer : Lord Jesus, let my life teach that you bless those who are obedient to you. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
