When God Crosses His Hands

TITLE: WHEN GOD CROSSES HIS HANDS

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 48:14

As we look at our text we read here where Joseph is presenting his two sons Ephraim and Manessah before his father JACOB/ISRAEL who by now can hardly see because of his advanced age. He is presented these two boys in whom he is going to make a divine impartation by laying hands upon them that will set them up just LIKE ISSAC HAD DONE TO HIS SON JACOB - ISRAEL.

• In this text, Israel - Jacob was about to pronounce his blessings on Joseph’s sons (Jacob’s grandsons)

So as Joseph brings them to his father, Israel kisses them and embraces them and say’s to Joseph, I didn’t think that I would see your face - for at one time he thought that Joseph was dead. You recall how his brothers had thrown him in a pit as a boy and ultimately sold as a slave to Egypt. Twenty-two (22) years passed since he had seen his son Joseph. Not only was Joseph alive so that his father could see him. He also sees Joseph’s sons, Joseph’s seed. As Joseph brings them out from near his father’s knees, he shows Joseph respect by bowing himself with his face to earth. After getting up -

• Joseph takes Ephraim (the youngest) by his right hand and leads him to Jacob’s left hand

• Then he takes Manessah (the oldest) by his left hand and leads him to his father’s right hand

Let’s pause and make sure we understand - what is a blessing? The dictionary defines a blessing as “God’s favor and protection.”

• When we pray or speak blessings upon others, we are asking God to pour out His gracious kindness upon them

• We are invoking His loving care

This is a fairly common practice within the church, the family, and elsewhere. As Christians, we are called to bless one another just as Jacob/Israel was chosen to be a blessing for all the world. This is why the benediction is so important at the end of every worship service.

• Have you ever stopped and listened to the benediction?

• Have you ever thought deeply about what it says about you, and your life?

• Often, we don’t

For the majority of churches, the benediction is the final act of worship. The Priest or Pastor stands before the gathering, with hand extended over the congregation, and closes the service. It can be easy to see the benediction in this way, as nothing more than the appropriate way to end a religious service. The prayer is said, the service closes, and we are on our way. What if there is a bit more to the benediction?

• What if the benediction is not simply a fancy prayer, but a profound act of empowerment and sending?

• What if the benediction actually declares a reality for your lives

• A reality bestowed upon you in that moment?

• If so, it might just be something we need to pay attention to

A blessing is an authoritative pronouncement of God’s presence, favor, and activity.

• It is a statement made - not a request asked

• This means that when you sit in church, and the time of the benediction comes, take a moment to sit or stand and receive these words

• The benediction is a powerful moment where you are invited to realize the truth of God’s presence and activity

• This is why you should never leave before the Benediction

• Afternoon programs I see saints leave right after the sermon

• You missed out on your blessing!

• ST. LUKE 24:50 “AND HE LED THEM OUT AS FAR AS TO BETHANY, AND HE LIFTED UP HIS HANDS, AND BLESSED THEM. AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHILE HE BLESSED THEM, HE WAS PARTED FROM THEM, AND CARRIED UP INTO HEAVEN”

• When the Pastor lifts his hands to the congregation for the Benediction you don’t lift your hands back to the pulpit, lift them up to the Lord

We've seen the concept of blessing a number of times before --

• Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau -- Chapter 27

• Isaac's blessing of Jacob when he leaves -- 28:1-5

• The blessing of Abraham -- 28:4

• The nations blessed through Jacob's offspring -- 28:14

• Laban blessed through the presence of Jacob -- 30:27-28

• Potiphar is blessed through the presence of Joseph -- 39:5

You could argue that the whole narrative of the patriarchs -- and Jacob in particular -- centers around blessing --

• Seeking a blessing

• Receiving a blessing

• Blessing others

• Leaving a blessing as a legacy to one's descendants

Jacob spent the final 17 years of his life in Egypt. Jacob/Israel lived in Egypt 17 years, so he was 147 years old during the time of this text and the time of his death. Therefore, a significant amount of time had passed between his arrival in Goshen and the illness that led to his death. Nevertheless, one day Joseph received news that his elderly father was very sick. He and his two sons hurried to go visit Jacob. When Jacob saw them, he gathered his strength and sat up in the bed. He began to speak to his son and grandsons.