Who's Blessing Who?

I'm at the Internet Cafe today. Hope you'll stop by - I'm talking about making God weep. Hoping I'm not doing that today!

I think everyone can get a bit starstruck on occasion. If you had a chance to meet the President, your favorite preacher, or a favorite author or actor,  what would you want to do? Get an autograph? Ask for advice on something? Pass out? ;) I'm guessing at least some of us would be tongue-tied,  at least for a few moments.

But have you ever thought about YOU giving something meaningful to that person, instead of the other way around? I didn't either - until I read Genesis 47 last week.

Let me set the scene. Joseph is second in command in Egypt, and he has just brought his family from the famine-ravished land to live closer to him, in the land of Goshen. He takes his father to see  Pharoah - the most powerful man in all of Egypt, bar none.

Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. Genesis 47:7-10

 The people of Egypt considered the Pharaoh as a god himself. He had great power and resources. And an 130-year-old man blessed HIM. TWICE. Jacob, I imagine, could have asked for anything he wanted. After all, his son was Pharaoh's closest adviser.

But instead of asking for anything, Jacob blessed this powerful, pagan ruler - with the blessing of God (that's the assumption, isn't it?).

And there is no greater gift than that, is there?


**

There are many ways to "bless" those who are "more important" - at least in the world's eyes - especially if they aren't believers. What ideas do you have? Comment here, and join me at Living By Grace on Facebook and we can chat!






Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength