Genesis 49: 1-28
Monday, 19 October 2020
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing. -Genesis 49:28
This chapter records Jacob blessing his twelve sons just before his death. He calls each one of them in the order of their birth and pronounces blessing for their future. The blessing pronounced by a father is honoured by God as seen in the lives of the descendants of Jacob’s sons.
It is interesting to note that their future blessings were tied up with their past deeds. Jacob had not forgotten any of their past deeds whether positive or negative. He had just not reminded them about it until now. But our Heavenly Father does not remind us about our sins once we are forgiven and washed in the precious blood of Jesus. 1 John 1: 9 says: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And God says in Hebrews 10:17. “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” When we are so forgiven, we ought to forgive others as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:13).
We receive salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ after which we are called to walk in God’s ordained works for us: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph.3:10) Our works of faith on this earth will bring us rewards. In Matt. 16:27 it says, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.” There is mention of different crowns given in heaven:
Crown of life: Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
Imperishable Crown: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? … Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:24-25 )
Crown of Righteousness: Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)
Crown of glory: “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5: 2-4
Let us lay our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ and then build with the good material that will stand the test of fire to prove its quality. 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 says “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”
Think on: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”(2 Corinthians 5:10)