Smooth Sailing Through the Storm, Acts 27:1-25

 

And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.

Notice, when the decision was made for them to go, they didn’t have a voice in the matter. Often in the governments of men, those that make decisions aren’t the best decision makers.

It was not a wise decision to start a 2,000 mile voyage at the beginning of typhoon season, unless they wanted the voyage to fail.

Whatever the case the decision was made, and they loaded Paul and prisoners aboard a ship from the seaport city of Adramyttium.

This was no luxury Carnival Cruise Liner. They were probably packed like cattle into the cargo bay used for grain.

Paul had a couple of longtime friends with him, Aristarchus was one, and we know by use of the word “we” that Luke was also along for the ride.

So, whether they like it or not, off they go toward Rome. Stuck on a boat full of strangers, many probably dangerous prisoners headed to the Gladiator rings of Rome.

Ever been there? Stuck. Like a prisoner in a place, you don’t want to be, on a journey you don’t want to take.

Are you there now? Stuck. Doing what you don’t want to do. In a world you don’t like, with a life you wish you could rewrite.

Well hold on, don’t abandon ship just yet.

3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.

The first leg of their journey was north, up the coast about 70 miles from Caesarea to Sidon.

Governor Festus may have told Julius to give Paul liberty, since Paul was a freeborn Roman Citizen, yet to be convicted of any crime. Festus and King Agrippa both agreed that Paul could be set free if only he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.

Most importantly, God was with him.

When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7. 

4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

It was fall in the Mediterranean, when winds are primarily from the west.

They wanted to sail west, but couldn’t sail against the wind, (like vessels today) so they headed north, and then hugged the coast and tacked westward.

See, the timing of the trip wasn’t such a great decision.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Sidon to Myra, was about 500 miles.

These are the very places Paul had sailed and preached in his prior missionary journeys.

Now, he’s passing through as a prisoner.

Ever been there? The old stomping grounds from the good ol’ days. But you can’t go back, and you can’t stay, because of these chains binding you to your present life of prison.

Are you there now? Reminiscing over yesterday, imprisoned by today. 

Well hold on, don’t abandon ship just yet, the journey is far from over.

6 There (at Myra) the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.

They switched ships.

An Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy would have been a cargo ship hauling grain (probably wheat) from Egypt to Italy.

A ship like this at that time is said to have been about 140 feet long and 36 feet wide. It would have one mast with a big square sail, perhaps a smaller foresail, and instead of a single rudder, it steered with two large paddles on the stern.

They were strong and sturdy; but couldn’t tack into the wind at all.

We’re told in verse 37 that there were 276 people onboard this ship.

7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus...

Myra to Cnidus was about 130 miles. The average sailing speed was about 5-7 miles per hour, but since they were bucking the wind, it was likely less than that.

So, they’re stuck on a ship with hundreds of strangers, barely moving forward, the days are getting colder, and the wind is getting stronger, but at least they’re headed in the right direction.

Well, until...

⁷ ...the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Cnidus to Fair Havens was about 210 miles.  

Their westward progress was blown south until they could turn west on the sheltered south side of the island of Crete.

Ever been there? Things weren’t great, but at least you were headed the right direction—until everything went south.

Are you there now? You were staying the course, until you got blown off course, now you’re further from shore than you were before.

Well hold on, don’t abandon ship just yet, the journey is far from over, no storm lasts forever. 

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over...

The Fast refers to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is in September or October each year. It was Oct. 5^th in AD 59; the year this voyage is said to have taken place. 

Like a shorter version of our hurricane season, their dangerous season for sailing the Mediterranean was from the middle of September to mid-November. After that it got worse, and all open sea travel came to an end until winter was over.

So, they were smack dab in the middle of typhoon season.

9 ... Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”

Up to this point we haven’t heard a peep from Paul. But now, he has something to say because he sees they are about to make a big mistake.

Paul’s no landlubber, he’s logged some 3,500 miles by sea, and according to 2 Corinthians 11:25, he already has three shipwrecks under his belt.

So, whether by natural experience or Supernatural prompting, he speaks up and offers unsolicited advice. We need to hole up here for the winter, or it’s not going to turn out so good.

11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

What would you do?

The owner of the ship and the captain say, let’s go.

Plus, Fair Havens was a fair haven, in name only. It was not a good place to winter.  But just 40 miles west on the same island was the nice, big, beautiful, fun-filled harbor of Phoenix.

The majority said let’s go there.

So, Paul was overruled.

Ever been there? When you finally step out and speak up, you’re shut down, ignored.

Are you there now? You’ve given good advice. But they just won’t listen. So now you’re stuck with them, suffering for their bad decisions.

Well hold on, don’t abandon ship just yet, the journey is far from over, no storm lasts forever, the wrong shall fail, the Truth prevail.

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

See Paul, relax, feel that soft southern breeze.

Yo mon every-ting gonna be alright. 

14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.

Literally says:

It was not long before a typhonikos (like typhoon) called Euroclydon (east-north-east wind, a levanter, a nor’easter) swept down on us.

Euroclydon: from Euros (the east wind) and kludon; (a storm from the east).

15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.

Try as they may, they couldn’t follow the shoreline northwest but instead were blown with the wind southwest.

The skiff (dinghy) was normally towed behind, but it’d be capsized and destroyed in this weather, so they pulled her aboard. Which was a chore in good weather, but in pounding wind and waves and rain, it had to be nearly impossible. 

Notice Luke writes, “we” let her drive, and “we” secured the skiff.

In the midst of a storm, it’s all hands on deck.

Dear family, the Captain of our Salvation calls, “All hands on deck!”

The world’s in storm about to wreck, “All hands on deck!”

No playing Jonah, “All hands on deck!”

Dear Church, if ever was a time, it’s now, “All hands on deck!”

17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.

Struck sail?

“struck” chalaó: to let down, lower, slacken.

“sail” skeuos: vessel, implement, container, instrument.  (not normal word for a sail)

NLT reads: Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

They feared they’d be blown south onto the treacherous sandbars of Syrtis. So they lowered the sea anchor (a large parachute like instrument to drag in the water to slow the ship).

They don’t know it yet, but, perhaps by Providence, they were blown not south but west-northwest, to exactly where they needed to be.

Ever been there?

Are you still? Just holding on for dear life, not living, just existing, just trying to survive.

Well hold on, don’t abandon ship just yet, the journey is far from over, no storm lasts forever, the wrong shall fail, the Truth prevail, and soon you’ll see the hand of Providence has always been with you.

18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.

NASB reads: The next day as we were being violently tossed by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo.

They lightened the ship; ekbolé: casting out, expulsion, jettison. Meaning a throwing out of cargo to lighten a ship. (Perhaps, throwing out, and throwing up).

20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

They navigated by the sky, the sun, the stars. But none appeared for several days. All direction, all hope, was lost.

Ever been there?

Are you still?

No direction. You’re driving blind. You don’t know where you’re at or where you’re going.

There’s no help in sight.

All you know for sure is that you’re lost, without hope.

Well hold on, don’t abandon ship just yet, the journey is far from over, no storm lasts forever, the wrong shall fail, the Truth prevail, and soon you’ll see the hand of Providence has always been with you. He who calms the storm is with you through the storm

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

On a rare occasion, speaking the Truth in Love might sound a whole lot like, “I told you so.”

This is one of those times.

But it can’t stop there. It must be followed quickly with encouragement and hope.

22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

You should’ve listened, but that’s over and done, now cheer up, we’re all going to get through this.

How do I know? Because God said He’s got plans for me in Rome. As for you, God is good and has granted safety to all those who sail with me.

God's plan for you, affects those around you. 

God’s Word is always fulfilled, His plans never fail.

Dear family, no matter what storm you’re blowing through, hold on. Don’t abandon ship just yet, the journey is far from over, no storm lasts forever, the wrong shall fail, the Truth prevail, and soon you’ll see the hand of Providence has always been with you. He who calms the storm is with you through the storm, God has a way of smooth sailing, even in the storm.

I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we ask You to open our eyes, our hearts, to see and know, You stand with us, even here, even now, especially in and through, the storm.

We choose to believe You and trust You and praise You, in calm or storm, in peace or war, in safety or danger.,

We thank You, for granting that of all those who sail with us, none will be lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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Jacob’s Parting Prophecy, Genesis 49:14-33, (part 2)

Last words are sacred words. 

These are the final words of the father of Israel. The last of the patriarchal trio of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Continued from: Jacob's Parting Prophecy, Genesis 49:1-12).

14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,

Lying down between two burdens;

15 He saw that rest was good,

And that the land was pleasant;

He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden,

And became a band of slaves.

Blessing #6.

Issachar, Leah’s fifth son and Jacob’s ninth, means reward.

One day Reuben, Leah's firstborn, picked some flowers for his mom. The flowers happened to be mandrakes. They were thought to enhance a woman’s fertility.

Rachel didn’t have any kids, Leah already had four. So, Rachel asked if she could have the mandrakes. Leah said, “sure, as long as I can sleep with Jakey baby tonight.” Rachel agreed. That night, Leah was rewarded with her fifth son, Issachar (Genesis 30:14–18).

As per the prophecy, the tribe of Issachar became strong and enjoyed working the land. Their territory described in Joshua 19:17–23, included the fertile soil of the eastern Jezreel River valley, with Mount Tabor to the north and the Jordan River to the east.

The valley is between Mount Gilboa and Mount Tabor. Today, an Israeli tour guide might say this is the meaning of Jacob’s prophecy, Issachar lying between two burdens.

Not only were they strong and hard working but in King David’s day the sons of Issachar were wise, understanding the times and knowing what Israel ought to do. 1 Chronicles 12:32.

However, it appears, their spine wasn’t nearly as strong as their shoulder.

Their hard-working salt of the earth, docile demeaner, led them to bow to two burdens, tillage and tribute. They put their shoulder to the plow and prospered; but then, they yielded, like a band of slaves, to those who demanded tribute (rent) and taxes.

Until the Prince of Peace rules the earth, when swords and spears are beat into plowshares and pruning hooks, for now, for us to lead quiet peaceable lives, we may need, at times, to beat plowshares and pruning hooks into swords and spears. Lest we become a band of slaves bound to tribute (rent) and taxes.

16 “Dan shall judge his people

As one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way,

A viper by the path,

That bites the horse’s heels

So that its rider shall fall backward.

Blessing #7.

Dan, Jacob’s 5^th son, Rachel’s handmaid, Bilhah’s 1^st.

Dan means judge.

Sampson, from Dan, was one of the judges of Israel. God used Sampson to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Judges 13:5, 24.

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, a viper by the path.

Some interpret that to mean that Sampson was shrewd as a serpent, tripping up the Philistines causing them to fall backward. Judges 13-16.

Others say it refers to Dan being the place where Israelites fell back into great sin by worshipping a golden calf set up by Jeroboam. 1 Kings 12:20-31. The base of that awful altar has been uncovered and can be viewed this very day in northern Israel.

Some say the serpent and the viper represent the devil and that Dan is the tribe from which the antichrist will come.

Something else to think about. God is giving Jacob the words of this prophecy, and way back in Genesis 3:15 didn’t God Himself say something about a serpent striking the heel?

Could the serpent striking the heel of the horse, causing the rider to fall back, be a reflection of when the serpent (the devil) would strike Jesus (the cross)? More on this in a moment.

18 I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!

Now from out of nowhere (or perhaps Somewhere amazing) comes this parenthetical exclamation.

Only three words in the original text.

Qavah: To wait, to look for, to hope, to expect.

Yeshuah: Yeshua, Joshua, and Jesus are different forms of the same Word, same name, with the same meaning, Salvation.

YHWH: yah-veh, Yahweh, proper name for God. LORD.

Let's say it out loud: Qavah Yeshuah Yahweh. Now, you've just learned a powerful three word prayer, in Hebrew. Maybe you want to memorize it and include it in your prayer life. I do.

Did Jacob catch a glimpse of that future event? The serpent’s strike, the Rider's fall onto an old rugged cross, and then, the crushing of the serpent’s head by the glorious Resurrection?

All at once, at that moment, did Jacob see his Salvation and his Savior, and cry out:

Qavah Yeshuah Yahweh!

“Oh, how I've waited for You Jesus my LORD!"

19 “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him,

But he shall triumph at last.

Blessing # 8.

Gad, 7^th son of Jacob, Leah’s handmaid Zilpah’s 1^st.

Gad means, fortune or fortunate or, troop.

When Zilpah bore a son, Leah said oh how fortunate, and named him Gad. Genesis 30:11.

The Gadites became a powerful troop, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains. 1 Chronicles 12:8.

Gad was one of the tribes that settled on the east side of the Jordan. So, they needed to be extra vigilant for invaders.

They told Moses, this land on the east side of the Jordan is good for livestock, we have livestock, do the math, we’d like to stay here.  Numbers 32:1

But Mo said, no, you big chickens. You want to stay here while your brothers go fight? Not happenin'!

They said, no Mo, we’ll go and fight to the last square inch is conquered, then, we’ll return here to the east side of the river. Numbers 32:16-17.

Moses said oh, okay. But, if you don’t, it will be a great sin against God. And surely your sin will find you out! Numbers 32:23.

So, that’s what they did. Even though they picked their land first, they willingly waited to the end to settle in it.

They crossed the Jordan and fought shoulder to shoulder until their brothers conquered their territories, then, they crossed back over the Jordan to their land.

Just as Jacob said, triumphant, at last.

20 “Bread from Asher shall be rich,

And he shall yield royal dainties.

Blessing # 9.

Asher, 8^th son of Jacob, Leah’s handmaid Zilpah’s 2^nd. 

Asher was a blessed baker of bread and royal dainties thus, Asher means, Krispy Crème, or Pillsbury. No just kidding, it means, happy or blessed.

Dt. 33:24, Moses said Asher is blessed and shall dip his toe in oil.

To this day the territory of Asher is the breadbasket of Israel in the north. (Judah, in the south).

21 “Naphtali is a deer let loose;

He uses beautiful words.

Blessing # 10.

Naphtali, Jacob’s 6^th son, Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah’s 2^nd.

Naphtali means, my wrestling or, striving. Because Bilhah had a second son Rachel said, “I’ve wrestled with my sister and won.” Genesis 30:8.

In Judges 5:18, Debrah praises the warriors of Naphtali.

Jacob waxes eloquent and says, Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words.

Evidently Naphtali navigates words as graceful as a deer in the woods.

Psalm 42:1, As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.

Pause a moment and notice the unique characteristics among Jacob’s sons. Judah like a lion, Issachar like a donkey, Dan like a serpent, Gad a warrior, Asher a baker, Naphtali like a deer, just to name a few.

Like members of the family of Christ, each different, yet all having their own Divine Eternal Purpose and calling contributing to the strength and beauty of the body of Christ. 

Thank You Lord Jesus for making each of Your children one of a kind, second to none, world champion, YOUnique.  

22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough,

A fruitful bough by a well;

His branches run over the wall.

23 The archers have bitterly grieved him,

Shot at him and hated him.

24 But his bow remained in strength,

And the arms of his hands were made strong

By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob

(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),

25 By the God of your father who will help you,

And by the Almighty who will bless you

With blessings of heaven above,

Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,

Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

26 The blessings of your father

Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors,

Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.

They shall be on the head of Joseph,

And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.

Blessing #11.

Jacob’s 11^th son, Rachel’s 1^st.

Joseph means, he will increase or add. Rachel said, “The Lord add (Yoseph)to me another son.”

More is recorded in history concerning Joseph than any other of Jacob’s sons.

Joseph gets the blessing of the firstborn, a double portion, for Ephraim and Manasseh.

Joseph is a fruitful, bough (branch) by the well. 

He stayed close to his Source.

Psalm 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”

John 4:14, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Joseph stayed close to his Source.

We should do the same.

Our Source is Jesus.

Joseph’s branches run over the wall.

Joseph was generous. His branches spread over the walls to others. He didn’t withhold; he didn't hoard. He lived generously. 

The Lord's object lesson in generosity: a tree bears fruit to give.

John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Proverbs 11:24-26, One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

Joseph stayed near his Source, lived generously, therefore when the archers bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him (verses 23-24)...

He got better not bitter.

His brothers were jealous of him, despised him, mocked him, stripped him, threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery.

Potiphar’s wife tempted him with fiery darts of lust. With thorns of the flesh, she grieved him.

But Joseph clung to his God, not her flesh and said, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against my God?" Gen. 39:9.

When she prevailed not, she shot, flaming arrows of lying fury, and landed Joseph in Pharaoh's prison. 

But Joe's bow remained in strength (verse 24), his arms made strong, by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.

In my weakness, His strength is made perfect. 2 Cor. 12:9

Also notice that Jacob knows God personally, (Verses 24-25). He calls Him, Mighty, Shepherd, Stone of Israel, God of your father, Almighty. (Rather than "the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac" as in Gen. 31:42).

Now Jacob has a personal conviction that He who has helped us, will help us.

We dear Family of God build our faith upon our Ebenezers, our sacred memorial stones of God's blessed faithfulness.

2 Tim. 1:12. For I know whom I have believed and am fully persuaded that He is able to keep what I've committed to Him until that day I see Him face to face.

Phil. 1:6. For I am confident that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Romans 8:37-39, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Knowing these things, will keep you far from being bitter, and near being blessed beyond measure.

Speaking of blessed. The word bless appears eighty-eight times in Genesis. Nine times in Genesis 49. Six times in a row, in two verses of Joseph’s blessing (Genesis 49:25-26).

This is the blessing grand finale.

Blessings by the God of your father who will help you, and by the Almighty who will bless you.

Blessings of heaven above.

Blessings of the deep that lies beneath.

Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

Blessings of your father, have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.

 

Blessing by the God of your father. Jacob prays for a blessing on Joseph, but God commands the blessing. Jacob is telling his son, remember your Source, is not my words, not your wisdom and cunning, not the favor of Pharaoh or the riches of Egypt, or the gods of Egypt, but the God of your father, Jacob.  The greatest blessing is that my God, be your God.

Blessing of heaven above. Blessings of provision, fair weather, sunshine and rain, and protection from storms both physical and spiritual. 

Blessing of the deep that lies beneath. This verse started an oil company. The founders of Zion Oil and Gas believe this verse refers to the blessing of natural resources under Israel. Go to their website zionoil.com and you will see these two verses on their front page: Genesis 49:25-26 Deuteronomy 33:13-16.

Perhaps they are sons of Joseph?

Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. Children safely born and comfortably nursed. But it’s more than simply having lots of kids. The blessing of the Lord leads the children to being born again and nurtured strong in the Word of God.

John 3:3, unless you are born again, you will not see the Kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:23, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever.

Prov. 22:6, raise up a child in the way they should go... (the ultimate inheritance).

Blessings of your father, have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.

Abraham blessed Isaac but sent Ishmael and other sons away with gifts. Isaac, blessed Jacob, with no blessing left for Esau. Abraham and Isaac were blessed abundantly financially, however the fruit of their womb, not so much.

On the other hand, Jacob will excel the blessing of his ancestors and be fruitful and multiply and increase (definition of Joseph's name) into a great nation, Israel (Jacob's name given by God). Israel will produce the Blessing (Jesus) that will rise above and beyond the everlasting hills of this earth to the eternal streets of glory.  

26... These blessings shall be on the head of Joseph who was separate from his brothers.

The blessing of the Lord falls not on the people pleasers or crowd followers, but on those, like a Nazarite, separated unto the Lord.

Psalm 84:10, For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;

In the morning he shall devour the prey,

And at night he shall divide the spoil.”

Blessing #12.

Jacob’s 12^th son, Rachel’s 2^nd, and the last thing she did. Upon giving birth to Benjamin, she died. Genesis 35:16-20.

She called him, Ben-oni: son of my sorrow. But Jacob called him Benjamin: son of the right hand.

Obviously, Jacob was led by the Holy Spirit, or he would've been kinder to his youngest son of beloved Rachel.

The Benjamites were aggressive, ferocious warriors, Ehud, the second judge, (Judges 3:15) and Saul, the first king, were warriors.

Mordecai and Esther, were used by God to destroy enemies of the Jews. Esther 4:14.

In Judges 20 they ravenously as wolves, defended wicked Gibeah.

The apostle Paul devoured his prey, the Church, before he was saved. Rom. 11:1, Phil. 3:5-6.

Genesis 49:28
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

Jacob blessed each of them.

Jacob, who swindled his own brother out of the birthright and then had to run for his life.

Jacob, who woke up after his wedding night in bed and married to the wrong woman.

Jacob, whose oldest boy slept with one of his wives.

Jacob, whose next two kids committed mass murder slaughtering all the men in the entire city of Shechem. 

Jacob, whose fourth son got his own daughter-in-law pregnant

Jacob, whose sons sold their own brother into slavery.

Jacob, who’s almost blind and about to die in a foreign country.

This Jacob says, I'm blessed above my ancestors.

This Jacob blesses all of his sons. 

So, dear friend, no matter what you've been through, you too can be a blessing. Which, by the way, is the surest way to be blessed.

God created you to be a blessing.

Oh, and just in case you’re thinking that some of Jacob’s blessings sounded more like curses. Please remember this:

The Truth, told in Love, is always a blessing. Even if it hurts. Even if it’s not received as a blessing.

29 Then he charged them and said to them: “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.” 33 And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

He didn’t say, he’s going to the grave, He said he’s going to be gathered to his people. He’s going to a family gathering.

You're having a funeral; I'm having a family reunion.

He knew where he was going. He knew this wasn't the end.

Like my wife Roxy's mom. We got the call. If you want to see her, you better come quick. Everyone said their goodbyes. She was ready to go Home, but she waited and waited and waited for weeks she waited. Then, one day, just like that, she went Home. It took us a minute to realize that day was the first day of spring. One last message to her hundred-plus kids and grandkids. This isn't the end; it's just the beginning.

In that same nursing home where Roxy's mom spent her last days, we heard many amazing stories. One was about a lady we'll call Mrs. Smith. She said, tomorrow I'm going Home. Well, in a nursing home they all say that, so the nurse just smiled. The next day, Mrs. Smith, said, today, I'm going Home. The nurse's aide just nodded and smiled. Later when they brought Mrs. Smith her supper, she said, "Thank you dear, after supper, I'm going read Psalm 23, then, I'm going Home."

An hour or so later when they came in the room, there sat Mrs. Smith, Bible in her lap, opened to the 23rd Psalm, but she wasn't there, she'd gone Home. 

Dave's first wife hadn't stood or walked in a long time, but she kept saying she wanted to be standing when Jesus came to get her. One day, she said, "Help me up I want to be standing when Jesus comes." Dave tried to comfort her, get her to rest. She wouldn't have it. "No, I want to be standing for Jesus."

Dave helped her out of bed and to her feet. When she stood up, her face lit up as she whispered, "Jesus."

Her lifeless body collapsed into Dave's arms as she stepped into the arms of Jesus.

I wonder if her first Words were, Qavah Yeshuah Yahweh. Oh. how I've waited for You Jesus my LORD.

Let's pray.

Lord Jesus, Qavah Yeshuah Yahweh! Oh, how we eagerly expectantly hopefully wait for the glorious day we see You face to face. Until then, we pray You find us faithful, busy about Your business, winning the lost and making disciples.

Longing for Your soon return, we love You, forever.

Amen.

 

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.