In this episode we continue studying the Book of Genesis. In this episode Jacob is on his death bed.

He adopts and blesses Ephraim and Manasseh, Jospeh's sons. He said, they would be counted as his sons, like Reuben and Simeon were his sons. That his name would be on them and the angel that was with him and delivered him from ALL evil would be with them.

Manasseh was the oldest and the birthright should have gone to him but Jacob gave the birthright to Ephraim.

Jospeh is initially displeased but Jacob tells him, Manasseh would be great but Ephraim would be greater.

Later we see in scripture, that some of Manasseh’s descendants settle with Reuben and Gad on the other side of the Jordan, away from the rest of the tribes when they received their land inheritance.

Half of the tribe of Manasseh committed idolatry and were exiled to Assyria along with Reuben and Gad’s descendants.Their idolatry kept them from multiplying and increasing in the land.

Joseph was given the land of Shechem. Here's the text:

Genesis 48:22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

This was the land he bought from Hamor, the father of the one who raped Dinah.

Here’s the text:

Joshua 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.

Apparently, after Jacob and his family left their land in Shechem, when Levi and Simeon, avenged Dinah’s honor, the Amorites took over the land and when he wanted to use it to pasture his flocks, he had to fight to get it back.

One thing we see about the men of God in those days, they were not afraid to fight to get or keep what was theirs, they weren’t afraid to fight to protect their families.

God’s men weren’t passive they were ready to fight, they were men of activity.

But of course, we don’t use weapons today to fight, because Christ taught us that our greatest weapon against evil is prayer.

Jesus said, we should pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. If we prayed for God’s will to be done earth as it is in heaven, that would solve a lot of our problems.

He also said, we should ask God to deliver us from evil. This refers to the evil that’s within us and the evil that’s in the world.

He also told us that we should pray because if we don’t we will enter into temptation. Temptation refers to trials, testings, tribulations, troubles and calamity.

Peter said, God knows how to deliver the righteous from temptation. God will deliver us from trials, tribulations and calamities if we pray and the rest of the world will benefit from the work he does on earth on our behalf.

Jude tells us to contend for the faith. We contend by praying and speaking the words of "this life"

An angel told the apostles in Acts chapter 5 verse 20, "Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

This life refers to the purpose of life. This life God has called us to is different from the life the world calls us to.

Jesus said, his words are spirit and they are life.

The words of "this life" are revealed in ALL the books in the bible.

Paul reminds us that everything written in the bible, all the accounts, all the stories were written for our learning and instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Then in Romans chapter 15 verse 4-7 Paul says, these things were written to give us hope. Without hope we will perish. Without hope the church of God will be divided and can't stand against her enemies. So we are encouraged to be likeminded so God can grant us consolation.

Webster's Dictionary says, Consolation means, comfort, alleviation of misery or distress of mind, refreshment of the mind or spirt.

During these days in which we find ourselves, we need God's consolation. And it will come from having faith in His word.

Then we can be like Jacob and look forward to the future, knowing that God will deliver us from all evil and that he will do the same for our children and grandchildre in the future. Because his name is upon us and it will be upon our children ALL because we have faith in every word that proceedes out of his mouth.

Romans chapter 15 verse 4-7 says.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Romans 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God