Let Us Become the Lush Branches by the Spring
Bible passage: Genesis 49:22-26
“22. "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25. because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.."
As a pastor leading a church, like any other pastor, I pray and hope that our congregation will enjoy the blessings of prosperity in the Lord. Recently, when I pray for our congregation to live prosperous and blessed lives, I often include Genesis 49:22 in my prayers, which says, “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.” When Jacob’s death drew near, he called his twelve sons together.
Among Jews, when death approaches, it is customary to offer a blessing prayer to their children. Genesis 49:1 says, “Then Jacob called for his sons and said, ‘Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.’” Such Jewish prayers are not mere prayers but are offered under the inspiration of God, meaning that God’s will is being proclaimed through Jacob’s lips.
A servant of God has the authority to bless or curse, and a single word from their lips can bring about significant outcomes.
