A United Family
Based on Genesis 48-50
"And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed." Genesis 48:2
How amazing it is that when Jacob was dying, he gathered all the strength he had, and sat up to see his son, bless him & bless his grandchildren. In reflecting on the birthing & parenting process in welcoming my 5th child into the world, it definitely took all the strength I had to get through, and then some! But where is that "and then some" which allows us to sit up & push when we are weak to the point of falling down? That's God! Calling upon His Name, The Name of Jesus, gives us that total strength to endure-whether it be at the start of life, or in Jacob's case, at the end of it.
"Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed." Genesis 48:10-11
Jacob, even in death, realized how much of a blessed life we have with our God-given family. He wasn't thinking of his possessions. He wasn't thinking of his problems either. God gives us a special strength & bond, especially with our loved ones, which helps us push further than we ever could before. A united family is the greatest blessing, and God gives us great strength to go the extra mile for them.
"Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; And hearken unto Israel your father." Genesis 49:2
We must gather together. Listen to one another. Keep God as the center focus of the family. God desires unity in our families, not division. A strong bond, not a weak one!
"And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days."
Genesis 50:3
In blessing & in mourning, in life & death, family is family, and God created each one with unique purpose, and He holds the strength to keep us together.
written by
Gina Pietrzak
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