A man of the Spirit

Genesis 48

In this chapter, we have a peep into Jacob’s old life and how he was still sharp in the Spirit to bless according to the will of God and not his flesh. When people are old, we tend to think that they will be stale and unfruitful. We believe that they should retire because they have nothing to offer. But that was not the same for Jacob. He was full of zeal for the Lord and acting in tandem with the purposes of God.

What can we learn?

#1. A man of the Spirit does not forget the past works of God. (Genesis 48:1-7)

The first lesson we learn is that Joseph could still recall what God told him in the past and what happened to him. He was not forgetful even in old age. Paul told Timothy to guard the prophecies of the past about his life. If we forget the promises of God, we cannot be hopeful in the present to step into the future. We must keep the promises or divine ideas of the past in our hearts and guard them without fail.

#2. A man of the Spirit blesses according to the will of God. (Genesis 48:8-20)

The next thing is that Joseph brought his two sons before his father to be blessed by the old man. Whereas Joseph wanted to see the chronological blessing of Manasseh and Ephraim, Jacob overturned it and made it Ephraim and Manasseh. In God’s economy, He shows mercy to whom He chooses to favour. He can use the youngest instead of the oldest. His ways are not human ways. Jacob knew the ways of God because he personally benefited from it but Joseph was expecting something different. At times we need the old and experienced to help us on certain crucial issues. Samuel needed Eli to know the voice of God and what to do.

#3. A man of the Spirit can foretell the future. (Genesis 48:21-22)

The final lesson is that Jacob told Joseph of what will happen in the future. He assured him of God’s presence and the fact that He will visit them and take them to the promised land of their fathers. He also gave him guarantee of his inheritance. Prophecy is important for godly direction to know our way forward in life. In our day, the prophetic ministry has been grossly abused but it is still biblical that God speaks through His prophets concerning the future of His people and the world.

When we walk in the Spirit it affords us the opportunity to keep our promises close to our chest, choose according to the will of God and have a glimpse of what will happen in the future. We must be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.

Take Action: Ask God to make you sensitive to the Spirit.