By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
Hebrews11:20-22
The significant perspective on faith that emerges from our next three characters in the Faith Hall of Fame is that Isaac, Jacob and Joseph were able to trust God into a future that extended beyond themselves.
This is an important quality. As we grow older our tendency is to look back to the the "good old days" and when we look forward, we tend to be cynical and short-sighted.
Isaac, Jacob and Joseph were able to look beyond their own frailty and finitude and trust that God was able to work amazingly and significantly.
It's one thing to be optimistic about a future that we can participate in. It's another to be hopeful for a future where we are no longer able to be in control or play a role.
These three men had seen the ups and downs of life.
They'd seen famine, war and the best and worst of humanity.
Isaac was swindled by his own son.
Jacob was deceived by his sons who led him to believe Joseph was dead.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, by Potiphar's wife and his fellow prisoner who forgot about him.
But they believed in a future and they believed so strongly that they were bold enough to bless their children and Joseph even gave instructions about his bones.
This kind of faith extends beyond my circle of influence. It is rooted in the goodness and promises of God. It's a faith that recognises that He is the God of yesterday, today AND TOMORROW.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
