Faith to Believe

Hebrews 11:21-22 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
 
JACOB’S father Isaac had blessed him to become a man of wealth who would rule nations. He had become wealthy, but he spoke his last words in Egypt. His family of 12 sons was living there to protect them from drought and hunger. Jacob ruled no one. Still, with his dying breath, Jacob spoke the future to each of his 12 sons.
    The most far-reaching prophecy is to his son Judah in Genesis 49:8-12. The blessing points to Jesus, particularly Genesis 49:10-11 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. He is the descendant fo the tribe of Judah through David’s line.
    He spoke to Joseph speaking about the exodus is his specific instructions to his brothers: Gen 50:24-25 “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”  Joseph knew  that one day his people would leave Egypt to return to Canaan. His descendants listened to Jospeh’s words. When Israel entered the Promised Land about 440 years later, it is recorded in Joshua 24:32a And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem. 
    It requires faith to speak what God tells us, doesn’t it? When Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph heard from heaven, they could not keep God’s messages to themselves. They needed to respond in faith to declare God’s promises and commands to the next generations. People needed to know the LORD God was guiding their destiny. In the most difficult days under Egypt’s bondage, the Lord’s promises could have seemed a mistake, even a lie from deceiving men. But if Israel closely examined Abraham’s, Isaac’s, Jacob’s and Joseph’s lives, they would have seen how God’s power protected them from their enemies. God’s promises come true through long years of difficult circumstances. Knowing God’s presence, power and patience in the past, would give the faithful in Israel the wisdom to know faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
    Are you sure of God’s future for the church? Do you see what he has told you? Even in days when it seems the church is shrinking and losing its influence, do you know God’s promises are true?