Best Verse:  Genesis 48:19 “But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.’”

 A REPEAT?

What was Israel (Jacob) thinking?  Didn’t he realize Manasseh deserved the blessing before Ephraim?  Joseph tried to switch his father’s hands, but Israel stopped hm.  Why?  Do you remember Israel’s story?  He had tricked his brother Esau into giving him his birthright and then he and his mother Rachel had tricked his father into getting Esau’s blessing.

But I don’t think Israel did this as a repeat of his own deceitfulness.  I believe he truly knew Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh.  I am not sure why, but he knew.  After his explanation, Joseph allowed his father to continue.  To the best of our knowledge neither Ephraim or Manasseh ever complained about it either.

TEACHING MOMENT

If you have more than one child, do you treat one differently than the other.  Now, before you say “no” stop and think about it.  It is natural to do so.  They are different people who respond to you differently.  It is easy to do that.  Treating them differently is NOT the same as showing favoritism to one over the other.

Your children need to know that they are just as important as the other.  Children get their self image from what they believe their parents think about them.  Did you know that?  Although you may relate better to one over the other, they don’t need to see that.  Love them differently but love the same.  Get it?

The Lord loves all believers the same – unconditionally.  He does, however, love us differently according to how we respond to His guidance and direction.  He is able to bless those who obey.  So, how are you doing today in comparison with your fellow children of God?

Remember, we all will receive the blessing!

Genesis 44:18 “Then Judah approached him, and said, ‘Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.’”

BEGGING

I am sure you have heard that expression, “he sure changed his tune.”  Someone totally flips their thinking.  They were adamant about one thing, and then they believe the opposite.  Judah had changed his tune.  Why do I say that?  Judah was the one who had suggested years earlier to his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery.  It was his idea.  Now he stands before the second most powerful man in Egypt begging for mercy.

I bet when Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, Judah was shaking in his boots (or should I say sandals, lol).  Judah’s remorse, however, was not for what he had done to Joseph.  His grieve was directed at how losing Benjamin would affect their father.  This was what touched Joseph, I believe.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do you get your children to show concern for someone else?  Some kids are just made that way.  They show mercy and compassion for others even as a toddler.  Others, well, let’s just say they are demon spawn.  Lol.  They could care less about how someone else feels. All they think about is themselves.  We see that about Judah in other passages.  But here he shows true love for his father.

There is really only one way for your child to “change his tune.”  They have to be reborn with the Spirit of God.  They must receive a new heart from the Lord.  They must ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.  Have you been praying for that?  Have you been plugging the gospel every time you get a chance?

How about you, Mom and Dad?  Have you had a “change of tune” about your relationships?  Are you willing to die to yourself for the sake of your spouse?  Will you?  Would you?  Can you?  No, you can’t!  But with Jesus all things are possible.

Genesis 39:23b “and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper.”

FAITHFUL

Do you think Joseph wondered why he was suffering so much?  Sold into slavery by his brothers, bought by Potiphar to be his slave, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and then put in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.  The Bible does not say that Joseph yelled or screamed at any of this.  He had no power to demand anything.  He was helpless in the face of all his accusers.  But God….

God had a bigger plan than Joseph was made aware.  Through all these events, God was placing Joseph right where He wanted him.  He had to go through all these events to be in the position years from then to save His chosen people.

TEACHING MOMENT

Do your children ever ask you why they have to go through bad times in their lives?  The loss of a friend or a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend can cause heartache and pain.  Your children will probably come to you in tears wanting you to comfort them.  This story is perfect to explain God’s sovereignty.

God has a perfect plan for your child.  That plan may take them through some difficult times.  But He is faithful to bring them through, just like He did Joseph.  Joseph couldn’t see the future, but He trusted the One Who could.

Do you trust the Father with your child’s future?  Do you trust Him with yours?  Do you trust Him with today?  If we can trust Him for eternity, why can’t we trust Him in our daily challenges?  If we can trust Him for our salvation, why can’t we trust Him with everyday decisions?

Let the Lord lead you through the pits, slavery and prisons of your life.  Perhaps He is preparing you to rescue your people!

Genesis 41:16 “Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’”

OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF

Everyone who has spent any time in Sunday School knows the story of Joseph.  It is one of the favorite passages in Genesis. There are so many truths to be gleaned from it.  But what hit me today was the humility of Joseph, even in a very difficult situation.

God had given him a gift of interpreting dreams.  In fact, that gift had gotten him where he was – a slave in jail in Egypt.  His brothers had grown tired of his dreams and sold him off into slavery.  Now, here he is again, interpreting dreams.  This time for Pharaoh who could reward him greatly or kill him.  Joseph chooses humility and gives all the credit to God, not himself.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we teach our children humility?  How do we get them to understand that even if the Lord has blessed them with incredible talents, they must remain humble and not proud?  It is not easy.  But we must do all we can to model and teach humility.

First, we must model it for them.  Have you ever had someone brag about you in front of your children?  How you handle that praise will tell your children a lot.  They will watch how you deal with that attention.  Come on, who doesn’t like attention?  Right?  Children sure do.  But we have to point any praise to the Father.

Secondly, we have to hold our children accountable when we see them getting that proud, braggadocios spirit.  Letting them get by with that will only lead to trouble in the future.  There is nothing wrong with being proud of their accomplishments.  But when that pride is shown in order to put someone else down, well, that has to be addressed.  Brag on your kids!  You should!  But also hold them accountable in how they treat others in the process.

So, how about you?  What will it take for the Lord to teach you humility?  Will it take a prison cell like Joseph?  I hope not!  Let love be your guide.  It is hard to be proud and loving at the same time!

Psalm 130:2 “Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.”

HE HEARS

Have you ever been in a season of prayer when you felt your prayers were just bouncing off the ceiling?  You want to scream, “God, are you listening to me?”  But you don’t.  You plug along in your prayers.  Then one day – Eureka!  You almost feel the heavens open and feel the power of God break through.  What happened?  God happened!

God is ALWAYS listening.  He never stops listening.  He is always attentive to His children.  Sometimes, however, He needs us to just pray and wait, pray and wait, pray and wait.  Why?  To allow us to trust Him.  If God instantly satisfied every prayer we lifted to heaven, we would not learn to truly depend on Him.  We would expect Him to do whatever we ask.  And that is NOT how God works.

TEACHING MOMENT

The next time little Elrod or Gertrude asks you for the 150^th time a question, use this verse.  Explain to them that you heard them the first time.  As a parent, you can’t always give them the answer they want.  “Mom, can I have cookies for breakfast?”  “Dad, can I shave the cat?”  You need to teach them to ask for the right things in the right way.

The problem so many parents have today is they cannot say “no” to their child.  It doesn’t matter how bizarre the request, the parents give in.  They don’t want to make Susie sad.  They don’t want to disappoint Leroy.  Give it up Mom and Dad!  That is NOT teaching your child truth.

Your child needs to be heard. That is without question.  But how you answer needs to be seasoned with God’s Word and His wisdom, not yours!

Genesis 34:7 “Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.”

TAKING UP FOR OTHERS

Now before you jump to conclusions (and that might be the only exercise you get today, lol) I am not going to ask you to share this story in context with your children.  This is one of those stories that is best explained in full when they are older.  With that said, let’s look at what really happened.

Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, had been assaulted by a local man where they lived, and her big brothers were not happy.  They decided to get revenge on this man and all who lived in the city.  They took up the offense of their sister instead of letting the Lord deal with it.  That’s the lesson to be learned today.

TEACHING MOMENT

I guarantee you that your children will be faced with this decision one day.  They will make friends who are hurt by someone else.  They will get pulled into a situation where they will be asked to “side” with their friend and “get back” at the other person.  You’ve seen it happen so many times in school.  Kids gang up on someone else to teach them a lesson.  Wrong!  God is not pleased with that.

Righteous anger is Biblical, but revenge is best left to the Lord.  There is nothing wrong with being upset over seeing someone mistreated.  There is nothing wrong with coming to their defense.  But plotting to get even with them is not the same.

If Jacob’s sons had been there when Dinah was being assaulted and defended their sister they would have acted correctly.  But scheming to kill and destroy a whole city was not pleasing to their father or to God.

Teach your children to be courageous and bold in the face of injustice.  But teach them also to let the Lord administer justice.  He is the Judge after all.

Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

SUNDAYS

Sunday mornings can be one of the most stressful days of the week.  We get up, sometimes too leisurely, scarf down breakfast, yell at the kids to hurry and get dressed, pile in the car, speed to church and…instantly our mask goes on and we sing “Kumbayah” all the way to the church door.  Does that sound familiar?

Or maybe you just roll over and go back to sleep because after all, Sunday is day of rest, right?  God even rested on the 7^th day.  I deserve a day to myself.  Skipping church never sent anyone to hell.  Is that your normal Sunday?

TEACHING MOMENT

How we approach Sundays with our kids is so important.  I am not a legalist.  I do not think you MUST be in church every time the doors are open.  But I do believe you miss a potential blessing when you are not there.  The word “glad” in the verse today actually can mean “brighten up” or “cheer up.”  Is that how you approach Sundays?

I will admit there are some Sundays that even I, a Children’s Pastor, had rather stay home and relax.  But then I think about the people I will get to see at the door.  That brightens me up.  I think about the songs I will get to sing (and I love to sing) praising my Savior, and I cheer up.  I think of the Biblical truths that are in store for me, and I am glad.

So my question for you, mom and dad, is are you giving that attitude of gladness as you approach Sunday?  Are you preparing your children Saturday night for the next day?  Are you as excited about worship as you are about going to the beach or a ballgame?  Which has the most eternal value?  Which has the potential to change your child’s eternal destiny?  It sure isn’t the final seconds of the ballgame.

Cheer up!  Brighten up!  It’s Sunday!

Genesis 32:27-28 “27 So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ 28 He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.’”

NAMES MEAN SOMETHING

People change their names today for various reasons.  Women normally take their husband’s last name when they get married.  Some want to make a statement to the world.  Others want to hide their identity.  Children take the last name of the family who adopts them.  But we see here that God changed Jacob’s name to send a message to everyone about how Jacob had prevailed.  One definition of this name is “Triumphant with God.”  I really like that.

If God changed your name, what would it be?  “Constantly begging”?  How about “Scared of his shadow”?  Or maybe this one suits you, “Doubting Thomas”.  I would want mine to be “Faithful One” or “Highly Favored”.

TEACHING MOMENT

Most parents give their children names for a reason.  Some are family names and some just appeal to them.  Have your children ever asked why you named them what you did?  Why not use this story to talk about names?  What a great way to share this wonderful passage about Jacob’s name change to Israel and what that means.

Don’t you want your children to be “triumphant with God”?  What parent doesn’t want that?  We long to see them secure in their faith and trusting Him for all things.  We don’t want to see them turn their backs on Jesus or have lifelong doubts about who He is.  We need to point them to the Name above all names – Jesus.  After all, His name does mean Savior.

Genesis 29:25 “So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?’”

LIAR, LIAR

It strikes me as funny that Jacob finally met his match.  His uncle Laban was just like him – a deceiver.  Jacob had deceived his brother Esau twice.  He “stole” his birthright over a bowl of soup and “stole” his blessing by pretending to be Esau by wearing goat skins and his brother’s clothes.  Now he flees from Esau under the pretense of finding a wife.

I know people like Jacob, don’t you?  They can justify anything they do.  It seems just fine to them to lie or cheat to get what they want.  They don’t intentionally try to hurt anyone, but they only care about themselves.  Is that you?

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children must learn to be truthful.  Deception is nothing more than lying.  Deceiving someone to get what you want is sin.  We need to call it that and treat it like that.  As parents, we must stop deception in its tracks.  If our children are deliberately trying to lie and deceive, we need to crack down hard on them.

Why am I sounding so harsh?  Because a deceptive heart will lead them to crushed relationships and a lifetime of hurt.  It will spill over into their marriage, their children, their careers and even in their spiritual life.  You have heard “honesty is the best policy.”  Well, that’s true.  Teach your children to tell the truth and to treat others with a truthful heart.  Then they will be blessed.

So, you must be the one to model this.  You must be truthful and honest.  Your children are watching you.  Stop telling those little “white lies.”  Stop fudging on the little things.

Be not only the truth detector but also the truth giver.

Genesis 26:18 “Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them.”

GOT TO HAVE IT

The story told here in Genesis 26 shows the importance of water in the lives of Isaac and his people.  We can’t live long without water – about three days.  Our bodies have to have it.  Our animals have to have it.  Our crops have to have it.  If it is not there we have to find it somewhere.

You really need to read verse 16 to the end of the chapter to get the full story, but the short version is Isaac kept digging wells until he found one that they could use without being hassled by the locals.

TEACHING MOMENT

So what truth can you share with your children about this passage?  The next time you pour them a glass of water or open a bottle of water, tell them this story.  People used to argue and fight over water.  We still see that today in some drought stricken areas of the world.  They fight over physical water.  How sad!  But water is necessary to live.

Now here is the principle – we also can’t live (eternally) without the Living Water – Jesus Christ.  And the beauty of this water?  We don’t have to fight for it.  We don’t have to dig a well to find it.  We don’t have to search and search hoping to find it.  All we have to do is bow before a Holy God and ask for it.  He gives it away.  And this water continues to flow in our lives and quenches our deepest thirsts.

Are you thirsty today?  Have you drunk lately from that well of Living Water?  He offers it fresh and clean each day.  Will you take the cup from the Savior today?  Ask Him to refresh you with His life-giving liquid.