Genesis 50:23 KJV
And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
This is a cherished picture in my mind. Joseph's younger years were difficult ones. It would not have been hard for a person in his shoes earlier on in life to question the goodness of the Lord.
Hated by his brethren,
Bereaved of his mother,
Sold into slavery,
Imprisoned falselyJoseph could have easily grown bitter and against the Lord.
But he did not. His faith stayed true and he was eventually honored of the Pharaoh and used of the Lord to save his father and brethren from starvation in the drought.
But the mark of the blessed man is right here; he was able to bring up his grandchildren on his knees. The strength of the Jewish family in those days was the fact that generations stayed together. By means of honoring grandparents and even great grandparents, they passed down the faith of the first generation to the next.
One of Satan's most effective tools in destroying Christianity has been the destruction of the extended family. We move away as soon as we can, looking for success in the financial world; and we do it at the sacrifice of the spiritual world.
And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
This is a cherished picture in my mind. Joseph's younger years were difficult ones. It would not have been hard for a person in his shoes earlier on in life to question the goodness of the Lord.
Hated by his brethren,
Bereaved of his mother,
Sold into slavery,
Imprisoned falselyJoseph could have easily grown bitter and against the Lord.
But he did not. His faith stayed true and he was eventually honored of the Pharaoh and used of the Lord to save his father and brethren from starvation in the drought.
But the mark of the blessed man is right here; he was able to bring up his grandchildren on his knees. The strength of the Jewish family in those days was the fact that generations stayed together. By means of honoring grandparents and even great grandparents, they passed down the faith of the first generation to the next.
One of Satan's most effective tools in destroying Christianity has been the destruction of the extended family. We move away as soon as we can, looking for success in the financial world; and we do it at the sacrifice of the spiritual world.
AMEN
ReplyDeletePASTOR THIS WAS A VERY GOOD BLOG AND I BELIEVE THE BREAK DOWN OF THE FAMILIES TO DAY IS DUE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS WANTING TO GET OUT FROM UNDER THE CONTROLL AND ADVICE OF THE OLDER GENERATION AND ALSO TO GET AWAY FROM THE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE. SO THEY DONT HAVE TO ATTEND THE HOUSE OF GOD AND TO TEACH THEIR CHILDERN OF GODS COMMANDS. THAT IS WHY OUR CHILDREN HAVE NO CONSIENCE FOR WHAT THEY DO.POSTING GODS TEACHINGS PASTOR. MRS. AYERS
ReplyDeletePASTOR I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH OUR SOCIETY TODAY IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN FOLLOWING GODS TEACHINGS AND THEREFORE THEY DONT CARE WHAT OR WHEN THEY DO THINGS THAT GO AGAINST GODS HOLY WORD, THE BIBLE.THIS GENERATION HAS NO THOUGHT OR DESIRE TO BE AROUND THE ELDERLY OR TO LISTEN TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE. THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR UNITED STATES TODAY. WAKE UP AMERICA, REPENT AND GET ON YOUR KNEES THEN GET IN GODS WORD/THE BIBLE. KEEP TEACHING THE WORD PASTOR. MRS, AYERS
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I am confident that one of the only ways to claim the next generation for Christ is to re-establish the exended family. Not merely as a sentimental thought mind you, but as a teaching, authority structure in the lives of the young.
ReplyDelete