LASTING HERITAGE (3)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Biblical example of instructive will and pronouncement of blessings
a) Rekab's last will and testament
i) Rekab commanded his children saying, "You shall drink no wine, neither you, nor your sons forever."
@1. "6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. (Jeremiah 35:6 NIV)
@2. 16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’ (Jeremiah 35:16 NIV)
ii) Rekab's descendants obeyed Rekab's instruction and they became an example of obedience, for all Israelites. God pronounced a blessing upon the children of Rekab that they shall never fail to have a descendant to serve God forever.
@1. 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ 19 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’ (Jeremiah 35:18-19 NIV)
2. The significance of a father's will
a) From biblical examples of last will, there is a strong emphasis on a father's blessing (or approval) or curse. How is this patriarchal blessing given?
i) It was a verbal statement of the father's approval or disapproval.
ii) It was based on past obedience or disobedience.
iii) It was visualized future success or failure.
iv) It contained great authority and influence (through divine backing).
v) It was given by the father to his children and grandchildren.
vi) It is based on God's promise to cause things to go well with those who honor their parents and cause reproofs to those who dishonor their parents.
b) With a father's blessing being so highly esteemed, it greatly motivates children to honor their parents and to keep the 5th commandment.
c) Patriarchal blessing therefore also serves as a final means of discipline. Scripture gives ample evidence that the promise of inheritance is to be a strong deterrent to rebellion and an equally strong reward for obedience to God's law.
d) Jacob's firstborn son, Reuben was immoral. Therefore he lost the double portion of inheritance which he should have received.
i) 3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. 4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it. (Genesis 49:3-4 NIV)
e) Joseph however, was loyal and obedient to his father and he earned his father's favor and the double portion of inheritance.
i) 22 And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.” (Genesis 48:22 NIV)
f) A father must explain that an inheritance is not a right, but a responsibility, and that spiritual failure will only reveal that a son or daughter is not capable of fulfilling that responsibility. If inheritance money is given to a rebellious child, it will most certainly be used for purposes that are directly contrary to God's objectives.
The End ...
1. Biblical example of instructive will and pronouncement of blessingsa) Rekab's last will and testament
i) Rekab commanded his children saying, "You shall drink no wine, neither you, nor your sons forever."
@1. "6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. (Jeremiah 35:6 NIV)
@2. 16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’ (Jeremiah 35:16 NIV)
ii) Rekab's descendants obeyed Rekab's instruction and they became an example of obedience, for all Israelites. God pronounced a blessing upon the children of Rekab that they shall never fail to have a descendant to serve God forever.
@1. 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ 19 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’ (Jeremiah 35:18-19 NIV)
2. The significance of a father's willa) From biblical examples of last will, there is a strong emphasis on a father's blessing (or approval) or curse. How is this patriarchal blessing given?
i) It was a verbal statement of the father's approval or disapproval.
ii) It was based on past obedience or disobedience.
iii) It was visualized future success or failure.
iv) It contained great authority and influence (through divine backing).
v) It was given by the father to his children and grandchildren.
vi) It is based on God's promise to cause things to go well with those who honor their parents and cause reproofs to those who dishonor their parents.
b) With a father's blessing being so highly esteemed, it greatly motivates children to honor their parents and to keep the 5th commandment.
c) Patriarchal blessing therefore also serves as a final means of discipline. Scripture gives ample evidence that the promise of inheritance is to be a strong deterrent to rebellion and an equally strong reward for obedience to God's law.
d) Jacob's firstborn son, Reuben was immoral. Therefore he lost the double portion of inheritance which he should have received.
i) 3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. 4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it. (Genesis 49:3-4 NIV)
e) Joseph however, was loyal and obedient to his father and he earned his father's favor and the double portion of inheritance.
i) 22 And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.” (Genesis 48:22 NIV)
f) A father must explain that an inheritance is not a right, but a responsibility, and that spiritual failure will only reveal that a son or daughter is not capable of fulfilling that responsibility. If inheritance money is given to a rebellious child, it will most certainly be used for purposes that are directly contrary to God's objectives.
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