[7] then joseph brought in jacob his father and stood him before pharaoh, and jacob blessed pharaoh. [8] and pharaoh said to jacob, “how many are the days of the years of your life?” [9] and jacob said to pharaoh, “the days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.” [10] and jacob blessed pharaoh and went out from the presence of pharaoh. [11] then joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of rameses, as pharaoh had commanded. [12] and joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents. [genesis 47:7-12]
jacob blessed a pagan king –
he did not know,
who knew about God from joseph,
but, who did not know God!
why?
because God wanted jacob to declare his glory to a king that thought he was glorious.
because God wanted jacob to declare his glory to a king.
because God wanted jacob to declare his glory.
there will be a day, there will be an hour, there will be a moment – when God will ask you to declare his glory to someone who thinks they are more glorious than God. the question is not if or when – but will you?
this old man, who was more known for his moments of failure and sin than his moments of following God, obeyed in this moment. this old man – was not defined by his sin. this old man – was not defined by his failures. this old man – was defined by a God who is bigger, more glorious, than all his sin and all his failures.
today or maybe tomorrow – God will ask you to declare his glory. will you say yes? or, will you let your failures and your past sins mute your mouth. will another who needs to see the GLORY of God see the greatness of God through your words, your actions, your life – or will they continue to think they are the great one?
today or tomorrow – you will get the chance to bless someone else by declaring the glory of God. whether you are young or old, take that chance, that gift from God, and declare his glory. bless that person.
in the name of Jesus – for the glory of God – be a blessing today!
~ john ryan