FORGET TO BE FRUITFUL

“And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51-52

Joseph had gone through so much in the hands of his brothers. His brothers hated him so badly that they sold him into slavery. They connived to get rid of him because his father openly loved him more than them all. So much for siblings’ rivalry. This should be a lesson for all parents, to beware of creating obvious favouritism in the family. Every child has a part to play and don’t make one child feel preferred than others. It is a dangerous thing.

Jacob had flaunted his love for Joseph so much that it created a sharp enmity between him and his brothers who sold him to slavery. Joseph went from challenge to challenge – from slavery he went to prison for no fault of his; but from prison, God looked upon him and took him to the throne.

The natural person will be bitter and begin to seek the opportunity for revenge; but not Joseph. He understood the fact that for him to move forward, he needed to forgive and forget, and ensure there is no root of bitterness in him. His decision is seen clearly in the names of the children and the order of their names is instructive. The first one is “Forget”, and he said, “God has made me to forget all my toil and slavery” and the second is Ephraim which means ‘to be fruitful’. In other words, you must learn to forget to be fruitful.

Dearly beloved, is there anything you are holding back on? Let it go today. Forgive and move on and see God come through for you as you become fruitful in the land.

Further Reading: Genesis 41: 44-52
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 3-4; Evening- Acts 7:44-60