Warnings about Remembering God's Provision

Scripture: Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The second he named Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortunes.” Genesis 41:51-52

Observation: Later, the tribe of Joseph will actually be divided into two tribes, one for each of his sons and so named for them. Fast-forward on the history of Israel in the promised land, and we see that first Israel divides north and south - Israel and Judah - but later the north shrinks and shrinks until the prophets refer to it by just the one tribal holding that is left ... Ephraim.

Rewind to here in Egypt, where we will eventually see Jacob/Israel come to see Joseph. When he blesses his sons, he crosses his hands to give Ephraim the right-hand blessing despite being the second-born. In this, it is interesting to see how one can put together the two names of the sons in this order ordained by Israel, to tell the entire summary of the shortcoming of Israel in one sentence.

God made Israel fruitful in the land he gave them, but they forgot all about their father the Lord.

In addition, Joseph himself focuses on the negative part of life. The names of his sons mean "making to forget" and "to be fruitful", however in both explanations he adds a memory of his problems. He is pleased to forget "my hardship", and he is fruitful in the land "of my misfortunes". He focuses on the struggles, but not the blessings of having been the favorite son of a rich man, nor the delivery from his struggles to be the most powerful person in Egypt.

Application: The Lord is my provider. If I would spend my time in total wonder and thankfulness for his blessings, two things would happen in my life. First, I would be - in this act and the resulting mindfulness - worshipping and praying continuously. This is the right heart to have on a daily basis. Second, I would never forget all the Lord has done, and all that he can do, for me, my family, and everyone. I would never move away from that knowledge and that relationship.

I am sure that even Joseph moved a little away from God after 20 years in Egypt, married to the daughter of a priest of another god, and this is reflected in his memory of his past. However, the naming of his sons also give us the warning about how to avoid that state.

God has made me fruitful here in the time and place he has given me. Will I forget about him, forget about his blessing, and focus on the hardships of my life? Or will I celebrate the fact that I live in my father's embrace, in his love, and in his kingdom?

Prayer: Lord, again I pray today, may I forget about all the problems, evil, and failures of the past, and remember only your love and blessing in my life. And may my thoughts, attitudes, and actions in all things and at all times overflow from that memory of your great love in my life. Amen.