31/10/2026
Good morning đź‘‹
🙌 "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth." — Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else." — Isaiah 45:18 (KJV)
📖 Genesis 48:1–14
48 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
8 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?
9 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
🌿 Reflection
As Jacob approaches the end of his life, Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to visit their grandfather. Despite his weakness and failing eyesight, Jacob gathers his strength and sits up in bed to bless them.
Jacob remembers God's faithfulness throughout his journey. He recalls how God appeared to him at Luz (Bethel), promised to bless him and multiply his descendants, and remained with him through life's difficulties.
Jacob then adopts Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as his own, giving them a special inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
When Joseph presents his sons, Jacob deliberately crosses his hands, placing his right hand upon Ephraim, the younger son, and his left hand upon Manasseh, the firstborn.
This moment reminds us that God's ways are not always our ways. Man's traditions and expectations do not limit God's plans. God sees beyond birth order, status, position and human expectations.
There are several lessons for us:
1. *Remember God's faithfulness*: Like Jacob, we should never forget how God has carried us through life's challenges.
2. *Bless the next generation*: We have a responsibility to pray for, encourage and guide our children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord.
3. *Trust God's choices*: Sometimes God's plans differ from what we expect, but His wisdom is greater than ours.
4. *Leave a spiritual inheritance*: Our greatest legacy is not material wealth but a life that points others towards God.
Even when our physical strength begins to fail, our faith and testimony can continue to bless generations to come.
đź’ Thought for Today
What spiritual inheritance are we leaving behind for the next generation?
We may not be able to give our children everything they desire, but we can give them something far more valuable: *faith in God, the power of prayer, the knowledge of His Word and an example of a life surrendered to Jesus.*
Never underestimate the power of a parent's prayer or a grandparent's blessing.
*God's plans are greater than our expectations, and His blessings can reach generations beyond our own.*
Our greatest legacy is a generation that knows, loves and trusts God.
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your faithfulness throughout every season of our lives. Like Jacob, help us to remember the many ways You have guided, protected and provided for us.
Lord, teach us to trust Your plans, even when we cannot understand Your ways. Help us not to judge situations by what we see, but to walk by faith, knowing that You see the beginning and the end.
Father, we place our children, grandchildren and future generations into Your loving hands. May they grow in wisdom, grace and knowledge of Your Word. Give us the wisdom to guide them, the patience to encourage them and the faith to pray continually for them.
May our lives leave behind a legacy of love, obedience, forgiveness and faithfulness to You.
Let our homes become places where Your name is honoured, Your Word is treasured and Your presence is welcomed.
Thank You that Your blessings are not limited by our circumstances, age or human expectations.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen. 🙏
đź“š Adult Sabbath School
Sabbath School Weekly Lesson
Lesson 5 - Revelation and Inspiration
The Gift of Prophecy
(4th Quarter 2026)
*as we 'Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.' Psalm 100:4*
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26
