Jacob is about to die. Before he dies, however, he calls all his children and Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, before him and blesses each. To Judah he said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (49:10). Already, God is revealing that a king will come from Judah, one to whom all the nations will look.
And then, Jacob died and was buried. And Joseph died. But, of course, that’s not the end of the story. Not even close! The first chapter of Exodus reports: “Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them” (Exodus 1:6,7). God had already blessed, and he kept on blessing, always faithful to his promises. That’s the way it is with him.
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed,
who through this weary pilgrimage
hast all our fathers led;
Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.
O spread thy covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our Father’s loved abode
our souls arrive in peace. -- Philip Doddridge (1736)
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