WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Are you a rule-follower? Do you often find yourself feeling that ‘it just isn’t fair’? In this moment ask God for the grace to see things his way. Not playing by the rules Rules make it easy for us to know what is right and what is wrong. We have laws that govern the behaviour of a nation, and we have smaller private rules we create for ourselves as part of our moral or spiritual code. The ‘rules’ in Jacob’s day ensured the passing of land and possessions down to the eldest son. It was right and proper, and everyone understood it to be that way... Except that God wasn’t playing by those rules here. Heirs by grace In this act of blessing, Jacob elevates Manasseh and Ephraim to the level of sonship, rather than grand-sonship (v 5). They will inherit alongside their father, just as their uncles do. Then, to Joseph’s chagrin, Jacob crosses his hands while blessing the young men, putting the younger Ephraim ahead of the ‘rightful heir’ Manasseh (vs 18,19). This shouldn’t be surprising to Joseph, or to us. Throughout Genesis the younger son has either been rightfully chosen, or cheated his way into his brother’s inheritance: eg Seth over Cain (ch 5); Isaac over Ishmael (ch 21); Jacob over Esau (ch 27); and now Ephraim over Manasseh. God often cuts through the rules we put in place. Through the grace of God and the Spirit we are all sons and heirs (Romans 8:15–17), although ever unworthy of the title. Respond: ‘Father, break our spirit of entitlement, and let us be thankful for your bountiful grace.’ http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-07