Genesis reveals a startling account of Jacob’s face-to-face encounter with the Pharaoh of Egypt: “Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh” (Gen. 47:7).* It is quite remarkable, when you think about it—a humble herdsman blessing a powerful, self-proclaimed deity. Did Jacob bless the Pharaoh because of the Pharaoh’s willingness to enable God’s purposes to be accomplished? Or was it simply because passing on that blessing to others was the right thing to do by one who had been blessed by the Lord?
We are left with many questions regarding how the blessing was bestowed. Did the aged patriarch place his hands on this god-king? Did he bow before the Pharaoh, or lift his hands toward heaven? What words were spoken? We may learn from other stories in the book of beginnings where blessings were given. When Isaac blessed Jacob, he prayed, “ ‘May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful and multiply you’ ” (Gen. 28:3). Generations later, the Lord instructed Moses how Aaron and his sons should bless the children of Israel: “ ‘The LoRD bless you and keep you; the LoRD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LoRD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace’ ” (Num. 6:24, 25).
In both of these examples, the individuals are not providing the blessing. Rather, they are calling upon the Lord to bless. So it would be reasonable to assume that when Jacob blessed Pharaoh, he cried out to the Lord God of heaven and earth and asked for a blessing upon this powerful world ruler.
Jacob not only blessed the Pharaoh—he blessed the sons of Joseph, and he also blessed his own sons (Gen. 49:28, 33). What a way to end his days—extending blessings to those around him! He told his son Joseph, “ ‘God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me’ ” (Gen. 48:3). And Jacob chose not to keep that blessing to himself. He realized that he was blessed to bless. He had a blessing from God that he needed to share.
After studying the story of Jacob, I was impressed to ask my father to pray a blessing over my life. My father served for many years as a pastor, evangelist, and hospital chaplain. He has offered many prayers of blessing in Jesus’ name. I have no doubt that he has also continued earnestly in prayer for me through the years. But this special prayer of blessing was different. We fasted and prayed in preparation for this sacred occasion. My heart was deeply moved when we knelt together in prayer and my father laid his hands upon my head. From the depths of his soul, he prayed a blessing over my life. I was blessed beyond measure, and I continue to rejoice in God’s blessing. But I realize that I cannot keep that blessing to myself. I have been blessed to bless.
Marguerite Shuster has been used by God to bring bountiful blessings to many within her circle of influence. It seems quite appropriate that her lead article in this issue is titled “Blessing.” She explores the simple beauty and profound message in Paul’s closing blessing to Christians in Corinth: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2 Cor. 13:14).
Our prayer is that you will be blessed as you read her article as well as the other articles in this issue. We also want to challenge you to pass on God’s blessing to those around you. Remember the words of Jesus: “ ‘Freely you have received, freely give’ ” (Matt. 10:8). Both individually and collectively, we have been blessed to bless.
* All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James version.
