Genesis 49:28 “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.”
HEALTHY HOOD
Have you ever heard the expression “gesundheit” after someone sneezes? Maybe you have even said it without realizing what it means. You know that can be dangerous (that’s a whole other story, lol). Well, “gesundheit” actually is German for “healthy (gesund) hood (heit)”. So, you when you hear that you are actually hearing “healthy hood” or “I wish you good health.”
We commonly say in America “bless you.” That’s is exactly what Jacob did here in chapter 49 of Genesis. He brought in all his sons, plus Ephraim and Manasseh, whom he had claimed as his, and blessed them. This was important in their culture. The father’s blessing on his child was highly desired. It should be today also.
TEACHING MOMENT
Now this verse today is more about our actions as a parent than teaching our child. Of course, everything we DO teaches, right? Fathers, I want to encourage you to bless your child every day. Find some way to praise them and bless them. Pray over them, not just for them. Let them hear you praying God’s blessings on them. And don’t just do it for your sons. Your daughters need to hear this, too. They need blessing.
And Moms, you can do the same. If you are a single mom, find a godly man who can pray over your children with you. Children need that blessing of a father figure. This is not to diminish your role. There is just something a child craves from a father that can only be filled by a godly man.
So, let me ask you today to be that person, men. Bless your child. Bless a child. Step in to help a single mom when you can. Now you can only do this with the blessing of your wife and with her full knowledge. Your integrity and reputation is important in this process. But be that blessing to a child who needs it.
A Moment In Time 