A Father's Blessing

"When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, 'Who are these?'  'They are the sons God has given me here,' Joseph said to his father.  Then Israel said, 'Bring them to me so that I may bless them.'  Now Israel's eyes were failing because of his old age, and he could hardly see.  So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.  Israel said to Joseph, 'I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.'"    Genesis 48:8-11


Fresh off another one of my bratty little fits, my dad came into my room.  I, of course, pretended not to be listening but I was.  To the best of my recollection ... "Thomas Lee Wiles ... You know you're named after ...  He ... "  I caught myself asking him a question even though I was still trying to pout.  He continued, "Yes, not only that but ... "  When he was done, he left and I laid there for awhile soaking it up.  I wouldn't have been able to verbalize it at the time, but what he did then and many other times as well, was give me his blessing.  You matter.  You belong.  You are a part of something bigger than you.  God has big plans for you and the generations that will follow.  Pretty cool, huh?  You see, I never saw my dad flirt with other women, nor did I find pornographic magazines stashed in his closet.  I never came home to an angry drunk.  He didn't ever yell at me even when he needed to discipline me.  All are examples of a father's blessing. 
Too many men and women have grown up in homes with a father who was either unwilling or unable to bless his children.  I've heard stories of anger, abandonment, drunkenness, and neglect far more often than stories of blessing.  Sadly, without divine intervention, the pattern is likely to be repeated.  Words and actions of blessing can never be overestimated in terms of their impact in the heart and mind of a child who is looking desperately to dad for affirmation, identity, and significance. 

One of the pieces of our scripture today that really challenges me is that Israel (Jacob) understood the value, the significance, and the long term impact of his blessing.  He was intentional and proactive, "Bring them to me so that I may bless them."  I understand that this scene recorded for us in Genesis 48 and 49 was a more formalized, end of life, culturally monumental moment in the life of his family.  Yet, the intentionality and the detail of his blessings reveal a man who took this issue very seriously.  If we are a father or even a grandfather like Jacob, are our children being blessed?  There is only one person who can give a father's blessing and that's a father.  To do so is to follow in some amazing company ... Consider THE Father's blessing upon his Son, "This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well-pleased." - Tom Wiles
Location: 1102 W 700 S, Pendleton, IN 46064, USA

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