“So
Jacob blessed Pharaoh.” Genesis 47: 10
Let’s get this straight, OK? Pharaoh
was a pagan, an idolater, a false god (or in his own mind a real god), and was
not known as being the kindest person in the world. Why would Jacob bless such
a man as this? First it was respect for his office. We are to respect the
office and the person in it. Second it was a kind way of thanksgiving for the
kindness shown to Jacob and his family. Kindness always deserves a return and a
blessing is an appropriate return.
But we see in Genesis 14 and Hebrews
7 that when Melchizedek blessed Abram it was noted that the greater blessed the
lesser. Jacob was greater than Pharaoh where it counted; with God. Jacob had
something to offer that really mattered; he could pray to the God of creation
for the life and well-being of another person, and he did. Instead of hate
speech directed at corrupt leaders, what if we blessed them instead? Just a
thought.
Dear Father, Help us to rightly
honor and bless those in authority over us. Amen.
The Friday Benediction
Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop
you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in
the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be
enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend. Amen
Abundant Grace can be found at my website, www.davidccraig.net. You can subscribe to
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