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GENESIS 48

In verse 4 of chapter 48, God reminds Jacob of His promise: “I will make you fruitful and multiply you. I will make you into a community of peoples and give this land to your descendants as their everlasting possession." (NIV) Now, before his two grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, he takes them as his sons, acting symbolically to bless Joseph's sons, so that they may receive an equal share in the spiritual and material inheritance among the Israelites.

Do you see how, since Jacob, this has been a generational work? It extends from Joseph to his children, grandchildren, and tribes. God reveals his faithfulness and his generational commitment to Jacob. There is an unbreakable promise made on God's part — it is part of his character.

In the same way, we also receive a promise from God: One day we will reign together with Jesus for all eternity. And this promise is fulfilled in Christ himself! Where our sins have been forgiven, we have free access to God's presence and receive eternal life through Christ. God's faithfulness, which extends from generation to generation, has extended to us.

LET'S PRAY:

The Lord loves families! In the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and throughout the Bible, we can see how much He loves to write stories that span generations (Psalm 145:4). So begin this moment by praying for your family and asking the Lord to extend over your home all that He has done in your life.