Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem(3/17/18)[Prayer]

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

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The Story of Joseph




(Old Testament)

Genesis 48

Manasseh and Ephraim

48 Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. 2 When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.

3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty[a] appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me 4 and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’

5 “Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. 6 Any children born to you after them will be yours; in the territory they inherit they will be reckoned under the names of their brothers. 7 As I was returning from Paddan,[b] to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).

8 When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”

9 “They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father.

Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.”

10 Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”

12 Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. 13 And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him.
14 But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn

15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,
“May the God before whom my fathers
    Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully,
the God who has been my shepherd
    all my life to this day,
16 the Angel who has delivered me from all harm
    —may he bless these boys.
May they be called by my name
    and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,
and may they increase greatly
    on the earth.”

17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.” 20 He blessed them that day and said,

“In your[c] name will Israel pronounce this blessing:

    ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you[d] and take you[e] back to the land of your[f] fathers. 22 And to you I give one more ridge of land[g] than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 48:3 Hebrew El-Shaddai
2. Genesis 48:7 That is, Northwest Mesopotamia
3. Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.
4. Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
5. Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
6. Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
7. Genesis 48:22 The Hebrew for ridge of land is identical with the place name Shechem.

(End of Scripture Passage)

There are more Chapters in Genesis after this one, but tomorrow we will jump ahead 400 years to the story of the Exodus. Some of you may have noticed that when Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, he switched his hands of blessing, once again favoring a younger son over and older one. When Joseph notices, he objects…but Joseph was favored over his own older brothers many years ago. It was this "favoritism" that resulted in many, many years of hardship for Joseph. But, as Joseph would say later is that what men meant for evil, God worked out for good. Indeed, it was this evil act of the brothers that ended up saving at least two civilizations, Israel AND Egypt.

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Our Father,
Who Art In Heaven,
How Blessed and Glorious is Your Most Wonderful and Holy Name!
You Made Us,
and Everything there is,
For Your Are The Creator,
The Only One.

Once Again we are puzzled by the actions of The Patriarch Jacob.
Even the Wise and practical Joseph was a bit annoyed by his father,
Blessing his sons in reverse order of their birth!
But over a half millennium later,
When the Tribes are allotted their portions in the Promised Land,
We shall see why Jacob blessed Ephraim First.
Manasseh and Ephraim become "Half-Tribes" under the banner of Joseph.
No other grandsons of Jacob are given this honor.
Joseph is Truly Blessed!

Let those who hate Zion be turned back,
According to Your Word, Oh LORD.
Let The Enemies of The Truth be Put To Confusion and Shame,
According To The Will and promises of The LORD.

Keep My Heart Pure Toward You, Oh God,
That I May Always Be In Your Will.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

(Sigh) I have just been informed that yet another Blizzard is headed our way, so it will be some time before the streets are clear enough for me to ride my Harley!

Those of you who know me have read of my little adventures on the motorcycle, and one of my favorite things to do is ride the semi-rural roads around the South Shore of Massachusetts. The shortened riding season is well compensated by beautiful curving roads, quaint white clapboard churches, seaside mansions and ancient farmhouses, and even the kitschy Tourist Attractions in Plymouth. Actually, that is my favorite, as I can park the bike and visit any number of antique stores, funky taverns with live music, and historical sights like Plymouth Rock, The Mayflower Ship, and a reconstructed Pilgrim Village. Plymouth Rock is emblazoned with the year 1620, commemorating the Pilgrims' Landing nearly 400 years ago...which brings us to Today's Meditation.

When Jacob and his Family arrived in Egypt, there were less than 100 People. (The Mayflower had 102 Passengers, only 37 of whom were of the Separatist Religion). Jacob's family arrived starving, and were refugees from hunger, while the Pilgrims, seekers of Freedom to Practice their Faith, encountered starvation in their first horrible Winter in the New World.

Now, in two years, Plymouth will be celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Landing. Israel sojourned in Egypt 400 years as well. Both groups exploded in population to fill the land, and I venture to fantasize that the Chief of the Local Wompanoag Tribe may have looked at the resulting spread of their White neighbors with some alarm, much like the new Pharaoh who had no idea who Joseph was. And so, we will begin the Story of the Exodus tomorrow. A lot can happen in 400 years, and yet, in the History of Civilizations, it is not a very long time at all!

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[Maudeen]

Plymouth Rock is emblazoned with the year 1620, commemorating the Pilgrims' Landing nearly 400 years ago..

It has taken Americans including the churches only 400 years to destroy what God intended for good. . . a nation founded on Biblical principles to be a beacon shedding His Light on a dark and dying world.

[Hiskid]

Amen

[onedoug]

I’ve tread those back roads of MA too. The old graves that suddenly appear are other markers in history.

400 years.... Just a few lifetimes away.

Thanks for your always swell posts.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

[metmom]

But, as Joseph would say later is that what men meant for evil, God worked out for good. Indeed, it was this evil act of the brothers that ended up saving at least two civilizations, Israel AND Egypt.

I love how elsewhere in Scripture God fills in tidbits of the story we don't get from the direct narrative.

For example here in Psalm 105 it says that God sent Joseph ahead of them to preserve Israel.

So many times we want deliverance from our situations and it shakes our faith when things don't work the way we think they should.

And no doubt, Joseph was wondering about those visions he saw and how they could come true. I wouldn't doubt he was second guessing himself if he misunderstood and could not imagine now how they would have come to pass.

But we have to consider that everything in our lives is orchestrated, even the seemingly bad things.

Psalm 105:7-22 He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.”

When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.

The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.

[etabeta]

Joining in prayer. God bless.

[NanaDory8]

Joining with you all in prayer, praise and thanksgiving!

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Maudeen, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Hiskid, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, onedoug, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

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Indeed! But unlike Our God, we don’t see the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out!

That’s where faith comes in.

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, metmom, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Etabeta, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, NanaDory8, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.
(St. Patrick)

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS