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Genesis 22:16-18 - Know Jesus and Be A Blessing.

Genesis 22:16-18 (NLT) "This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed - all because you have obeyed me."

INTRODUCTION

Abraham received abundant blessings because he obeyed God. God promised to give Abraham's descendants the ability to conquer their enemies. In addition, God promised Abraham children and grandchildren who would in turn bless the whole earth. People's lives would be changed as a result of knowing of the faith of Abraham and his descendants. We often think of blessings as gifts that we will enjoy. But when God blesses us, his blessings may also overflow to others - today and into eternity. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Often the Israelites seemed unable or unwilling to understand God's purpose for the heathen. Yet it was this very purpose that had made them a separate people and had established them as an independent nation among the nations of the earth. Abraham, their father, to whom the covenant promise was first given, had been called to go forth from his kindred, to the regions beyond, that he might be a light bearer to the heathen. Although the promise to him included a posterity as numerous as the sand by the sea, yet it was for no selfish purpose that he was to become the founder of a great nation in the land of Canaan. God's covenant with him embraced all the nations of earth. "I will bless thee," Jehovah declared, "and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12:2, 3. PK 367-368

COMMENTARY

   An Amazing Fact: The oldest known viable seeds were found in 1954 in a lemming burrow in Canada's frigid Yukon. The frozen burrow, buried in silt and sediment, was 4,200 years old When the arctic tundra lupine seeds were placed in favorable conditions, several seeds sprouted within 48 hours. One of the plants later bloomed.
   There is power hidden deep within a seed. It is the power of a promise that given the right conditions, a plant should sprout and grow. Today's amazing fact illustrates that even ancient seeds can retain this power. Bean seeds have even been found in the 3,400-year-old tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamen. After planting them in rich soil and providing proper water and sunshine, the seeds sprouted and grew into healthy plants.
   God promised a seed of blessing to Abraham and his descendants that a Savior would come from his lineage. This birthright was to be passed from generation to generation through the eldest son. In Genesis 27 we discover that through trickery, Isaac blessed Jacob. Even though Jacob deceived his father, he still received the power of this blessing. The words spoken by the aging father to his second son came true. Esau later came and begged for his father to pray over him, but it was not with the same richness as Jacob's blessing
   The Savior of the world did come through the lineage of Jacob. The seed of Abraham did sprout and bear fruit. Jesus Christ came as a son of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This birthright is available to us today. We may receive a promise of eternal life if we do not despise God's hand, which reaches out to bless us. Let The Seed Of Faith Be Planted In Our Hearts. Let Us Water And Nourish Our Hope Every Day. Then We Will Watch With Amazement As The Tiny Seed, No Matter How Old It Might Seem, Sprouts And Grows Into A Life That Will Last For Eternity. [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts]

Be a Blessing
   God promised to bless Abraham - and then He turned right around and told him he would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. Although few of us today are called to bring God's favor to people across the globe, everyone can pass along God's blessing to a neighbor, a friend, or a total stranger. That's when you know for sure that heaven's blessing rests on your life - when you pass it along to someone else. It happens when you show a kindness or share a smile instead of complaining or grumbling. It takes place when you offer someone a helping hand or take time to listen and encourage them. Whenever you graciously tell someone what Jesus means to you and deliberately point people toward the God you love and serve, you become God's blessing to them. It will make their day - and yours.
   Lord, it's easy to receive Your gentle love, Your quiet strength, and Your words of reassurance and comfort. I love to soak it all in. But I'm feeling Your nudge today. You don't want me to just take in Your blessing, but to be a blessing. And I will, Lord, as You open the doors. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]

Be a Blessing
   Would you like to know for sure that God's favor rests upon you? The clue is in today's verse. The angel the Lord was saying to Abraham, "The reason I am blessing you is so that you, in turn, can pass on the blessing to all nations. They will receive something through you and it is in this way you shall know my hand of favor is upon you."
   Few of us are called to bless entire nations. But everyone has a circle of family and friends. The surest evidence that the Lord's hand of blessing is upon you is when others get blessed through you. When you encourage fainthearted believers, wounded friends, discouraged saints, curious pagans, or questioning onlookers, you can be sure you have God's blessing. It happens when you point people to the Lord through your unwavering example, perseverance through trials, or spirit of gentleness or gratitude.
   The greatest blessing God can ever bestow upon us is Jesus. Get to know him, and the blessing which results will be something you just have to pass on.
   Is the joy of your relationship with Jesus overflowing to those around you? Is their prayer life deepening because of time spent with you in prayer? Has their boldness in witnessing ratcheted up a notch because your witness rubs off on them? If so, God's hand of blessing is upon you. To be blessed is to be pushed deeper, higher, and further into the heart of the Savior, so that his comfort and encouragement can be passed on to others.
   I covet your favor and approval in my life, dear Lord. Keep prodding me to pass on your joy and encouragement to others, and I will have the assurance of your pleasure and blessing upon me. Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional: http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional/

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

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