The Blessings

Introduction

Rites of passage exist in our culture but are not as pronounced as they are in other cultures. Among some of the rites of passage would be getting a driver’s license at age 16; as a whole our nation recognizes age 18 as the legal age in which one moves from childhood to adulthood. Insurance companies recognize age 25 as the time to cut rates. AARP recognizes age 50 as the age for “retirement.” The federal government says 65–67 as the age for full retirement.

But then there are less defined rites of passage. These passages are not associated with age but with events. Getting married is seen as a step into adulthood and responsibility. Having a baby is a rite of passage. So is burying your parents and realizing that you are now the patriarch or matriarch of your family. These rites of passage can be both exhilarating and sobering. They can open doors of opportunity and at the same time make us realize that we must assume greater responsibility.

One of the rites of passage found in the Old Testament is a blessing. Typically a father would take his oldest son or group of sons and pronounce something about them. Usually these pronouncements were intended to speak about the future. This blessing was to encourage and lead the son toward the future. It was in many ways an opportunity for the father to pronounce his pride and his desire for the son. In chapters 48 & 49 we have Israel blessing his children. He pronounces what the future holds for them. Our purpose this morning is not to dissect these two chapters to discover what happens to these sons of Jacob, although that might prove interesting. It is rather to learn the importance of giving blessings to each generation and learning to prepare for the future.

Jacob Blesses

Chapter 48 is the story of Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Two unusual aspects of this story is first that Jacob in verse 5 are adopted by Jacob at least in practicality about inheritance. Joseph’s sons share in Jacob’s blessing along with his other children. Secondly, as was done in Jacob’s own life, Ephraim who is the younger is placed above Manasseh in terms of the blessing. While this distresses Joseph, Jacob leaves no doubt that he knows what he is doing. Additionally, he blesses Joseph as well, although he will not share in the land inheritance like the other brothers.

Chapter 49 includes the blessing to all the other sons. In chronological order, each son is called in and receives some blessing from Jacob. Reuben’s fornication with Jacob’s wife, Bilhah is remembered and he is passed over for the blessing of prominence. Simeon and Levi are next. Because of their deception of the men of Shechem, they are passed over for the blessing of prominence. Judah is given the blessing of the firstborn. It is through Judah that the kings of Israel will come. It is also through Judah that the King of kings comes. Each of the other children are brought in for blessing. And then in time Jacob dies. Then we have a brief statement about Jacob’s death and where he is to be buried.

Application

There are two things we can learn from these two chapters. First, we need to give appropriate blessings to the next generation. As we read through chapter 49, we are struck with the harshness of some of the blessings. Some of the blessings speak of forced labor, of being dispersed, and being attacked. We might think that these things shouldn’t be said. But true blessings speak truthfully and appropriately. Notice 49:28, “Jacob gave each the blessing appropriate to him.” We need to give appropriate blessings to the next generation.

We can speak to each successive generation about what we want for it. We can speak of following the Lord and honoring God, but we must also speak truthfully. I can only speak of my own experiences and of those who are growing up now. But each generation longs to hear from someone older that they are approved and that they are ready to take hold of responsibilities. Each generation needs to hear from the preceding generation that they are ready to carry on. It is imperative that we give a message of hope and promise for each generation. There are plenty of men in their 40’s and 50’s who are still waiting to hear from their fathers “I am proud of you.” There are plenty of women in their 40’s and 50’s waiting to hear from their mothers “you have done well.”

Someone may say that they cannot express pride or love for the next generation. Then have the courage and the decency to express the truth with an eye toward what can be. Express now what your would hope that your child would change to be a better man or woman. Take the time now to help the next generation prepare for the future. As long as you have breath there is time.

Second, learn to let go of the past. In one of those obscure passages, Jacob says something greatly profound. In 49:29–32, Jacob is giving instructions about his burial plans. He is describing for his children where his burial cave is and how important it is to him that he be buried there. Notice verse 31. Jacob lists those who are buried there—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah. Leah the one who was his wife through deceit. The one who constantly had to compete with her younger sister. The one who gave birth to six children. At some point, Jacob must have realized that Leah had nothing to do with what her father did. At some point he let go of the past and treated her with great respect. Rachel was not buried in this cave. But Leah was buried in the family cave.

Some hang on to the past. The past is treated as the means by which one is given permission to act in ways that do not agree with God’s ways. We must learn to let go of the past. Maybe there is someone that you need to reach out to. Maybe you have been allowing the past to set the agenda in your life. At some point we need to let go of the past and it would be best to do it well before our death.

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