Genesis 47 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Genesis 47.

Meditate on verse 31b.

Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.

Genesis 46 records Israel (Jacob) worshipping God before he journeyed to Egypt to be with Joseph. By the end of Genesis 47, Jacob was seventeen years older and about to die. The chapter ends with Jacob bowed in worship. Jacob described his 130 years of life as unpleasant (v. 9). Yet, despite the unpleasantness, Jacob worshipped God.

Genesis 47 also portrays a respectful son. Joseph was the second most powerful man in the world. His wisdom and management skills saved the people from death during the famine and amassed all the money, livestock, and land in Egypt and Canaan for Pharaoh (vs. 13-20). Yet when an old man called for him, Joseph went to his father and swore to do everything as he said.

God’s command to honor your father and mother does not come with an age clause, but it does come with a promise: “that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12).

No matter how young or old you are, God commands you to honor your parents. If you have children, they are learning how to treat you by the way they see you treat their grandparents. Learn from God’s Word how to honor your parents.

Pray Genesis 47:29-31 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, may ________ and I deal with our
parents in kindness and faithfulness.


Let us honor their requests, even in respect
to where they will be buried.


May we find favor in Your sight, LORD,


as we bow in worship of You by the way we treat our parents.

 In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell