Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of your maidservant." Psalm 86:16
Text: Genesis 28:1-22
WONDERFUL WORDS OF BLESSING
What inspired Isaac to give this wonderful blessing to Jacob, as the latter prepared to set out on a long journey away from home?
“May God Almighty bless you,
And make you fruitful and multiply you,
That you may be an assembly of peoples;
And give you the blessing of Abraham,
To you and your descendants with you,
That you may inherit the land
In which you are a stranger,
Which God gave to Abraham.”GENESIS 28:3-4
1. Invocation of God’s Name
Once again, Isaac invoked the name of God as he prayed for his son, Jacob! The words were not coerced. These words flowed from a heart of recognition that Jacob would be his heir, even if he was not the apple of his eye! The blessing of Jacob began with the Name of the Lord, “May God Almighty bless you”.
2. The Heir of the Abrahamic line
Isaac was more than familiar with the word of promise that God had first given to Abraham, and then confirmed later with Isaac! He who was chosen to carry the spiritual line of Abraham must be blessed indeed! The following words of blessing just must be uttered.
“And make you fruitful and multiply you,
That you may be an assembly of peoples.”
GENESIS 28:3
a) Fruitfulness
Abraham produced one heir, Isaac! He himself had only 2 sons! What about Jacob? Surely he would need the Lord’s blessing indeed. Was Jacob going to Padan Aram to look for a wife? Then he must go with this special blessing for a good and fruitful marriage.
b) An assembly of peoples
Isaac believed with all his heart that the Lord would honour His promise given to Abraham and also to him! They may be a small family right now, but in time, they will be an assembly of peoples. It was not his privilege to see this part of the promise fulfilled. Perhaps Jacob would be fortunate enough to see “an assembly of peoples” arising out of his marriage!
c) The Blessing of Abraham
Would God hear this prayer? Yes! Isaac had not asked for anything outside the blessing that God had promised! How wonderful it is to pray with faith and insight!