January 30--Evening
January 30—Evening "God shall be with you."
Genesis 48:1-5; Genesis 48:8-21
Jacob would not have Joseph fix his heart upon Egypt, but have a believing eye towards Canaan, therefore he speaks to him concerning it. We must ever guard against loving the world because things go smoothly with us.
Thus they were to be regarded as founders of distinct tribes, and to have each of them a portion among the sons of Jacob.
Genesis 48:11 God is much better to us than our fears; yea, far better than our hopes.
Genesis 48:12-19 The order of nature is not the order of grace. Jacob well knew this, for in his own case it was written, "the elder shall serve the younger." The Lord's purposes must stand.
Whoever dies, the Lord remains with his people. Let us not be in despair, though the best of our friends or the ablest of our ministers be taken from us. When good old Jacob blest the seed, From Joseph's loins that came, He cross'd his withered hands, 'tis said, And God has done the same.
Crosses each day with trials hot, The Christian's path has been; And who has found a happy lot Without a cross between?
"Not so, my father," oft we say, This pain, this grief remove;
Too blind to fathom wisdom's way, Or think 'tis sent in love.