In Genesis 27 we find Jacob getting the blessing from his father Isaac that was actually meant for Esau. That blessing includes the words,
May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you. Genesis 27: 28-29 (ESV)
As shown a bit later Isaac expected these words to bring physical fruition. He treated the words more then merely words, but as physical things being given.
How do we think of words that we say? The point is that words are very important. Blessings and cursing have physical effects, so our speech should be constrained to that which builds up! Especially in the family!
I read a comment from a wise man some time ago (and if I remember his name I’ll credit the quote to him). It is this.
“Every negative comment we make is a prayer to the devil!”
That’s something to think about!
Then we move on to Genesis 29 and we see Jacob marrying Leah and Rachel. Between the two of them (well, those two and their handmaids) 12 sons are born. I’ve often wondered what are the reasons that God chose Judah’s lineage for bearing the messiah as Judah is not the first born of Jacob. There is a hint in the story.
Leah conceives and has children long before Rachel has any, but the story tells that Jacob loved Rachel much more then Leah. So, as Leah is having children, the first three sons’ names reflect her attitude: one of self pity. Then comes along Judah. Leah then says,
“This time I will praise Yehovah (the LORD).” Therefore she called his name Judah. Genesis 29:35 (ESV)
The name ‘Judah’ is connected to the word (in Hebrew) for ‘praise’.
Leah got her eyes off herself and decided to focus on God! The fruit of that decision is the lineage of Judah, though which comes messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).
When we get our eyes off ourselves and on to God, He can then do great things through us!
You may or may not have noticed that the last few weeks I wasn’t posting anything. It took me some time to get my eyes off my self and my circumstances and back on to our Father. There is so much more peace in life when one’s eyes are on Yehovah!
Shalom! – Yosef
Great post – although I’d just like to point out some mistakes: Jacob’s wives were Leah and Racheal, not Leah and Rebekah. Rebekah was Jacob’s mother. And the 12 sons were born between four women – Leah, Racheal, and their maids Bilhah and Zilpah.
Wow! I’m not sure what I was thinking when I wrote ‘Leah and Rebekah!’ I found a couple typos in the text also. I just wasn’t myself when I wrote that post. Thanks for pointing out the error! And yes, technically Jacob’s 12 children are through Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah, Their lineage, though, is considered to be through Leah and Rachel. Still, as I like to keep to what is written, I should have been more careful to mention that. Thanks again.
Sorry the approval for this comment took so long. For some reason your comment landed in the spam folder.
Shalom! – Yosef
You’d be surprised how many comments from my followers have wound up in my spam over the months.
And you’re welcome.
Wow. Learning so much through your post. Thanks for that quote. Never viewed it like that before. Welcome back.
Over the years I’ve been continually reminded how that quote is true, even with small comments. – Yosef
Interesting how words have power. In the beginning things did not exist without God speaking. The same way our own words have power to create or destroy. Thanks for the encouragement to keeping my words few and focused on building up.
Shalom