Genesis Week 45

I Know: From Recognition to Action

Introduction: The Bookend Moment

Genesis 48 gives us a stunning bookend in Jacob’s life.

Genesis 28 (beginning of Jacob’s journey): After his dream of the ladder, Jacob wakes up and says, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it!”

Genesis 48 (end of Jacob’s journey): When Joseph tries to correct his blessing, Jacob responds, “I know, my son, I know.”

From “I didn’t know” to “I know.”

This is the journey of faith—coming to recognize how God works, how He moves, how He chooses, how He’s been present all along.

Pastor Jack asks: Have you come to that place where you recognize how God has worked in your life?

And once you know—will you share it?

Section 1: Genesis 48:1-7 Jacob Recalls God’s Promise

Genesis 48:1–7 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

— Genesis 48:1-7 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

Observation:

  • Joseph doesn’t live in Goshen with his family—he lives elsewhere. What does this reveal about his responsibilities and position in Egypt?

  • Jacob recalls God’s promise from Luz (Bethel). Why does he start by remembering what God said decades ago?

  • Jacob claims Joseph’s first two sons as his own. This changes the tribal count from 12 to 14 (since Joseph’s sons now get their own inheritance). What does this adoption accomplish?

Reflection:

  • Jacob mentions Rachel again—she died on the journey, and he buried her with sorrow. Why does he bring up this painful memory in this moment?

  • Pastor Jack notes: God answers prayers in His time (echoing Genesis 30:4). Jacob is seeing God’s faithfulness over his entire lifetime. How does looking back help us trust God going forward?

Personal:

  • Jacob rehearses God’s promises when his body is failing. What role does remembering God’s faithfulness play when you’re facing difficulty or decline?

  • Jacob elevates Joseph’s sons to the status of his own sons. When have you seen someone “adopt” or elevate someone who wasn’t theirs by birth? What does this act of love accomplish?

Section 2: Genesis 48:8-16 The Formal Blessing

Genesis 48:8–16 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

— Genesis 48:8-16 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

Observation:

  • Jacob asks “Who are these?” even though they’re his grandsons. Why might he need them identified?

  • Jacob says “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” What does this reveal about Jacob’s gratitude?

  • Joseph carefully positions his sons by age, but Jacob crosses his hands. What does this deliberate crossing suggest?

Reflection:

  • Jacob’s blessing is rather generic—it applies to both boys equally except for the hand positioning. What does this tell us about God’s blessing being abundant rather than limited?

  • Jacob calls God “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long.” How has Jacob’s understanding of God matured from the beginning of his story?

Personal:

  • Jacob says God has “redeemed me from all evil.” When you look back over your life, where do you see God’s redemption from evil or harm?

  • Jacob positions the younger son for the greater blessing. When have you seen God work through unexpected people or elevate those who weren’t “first in line”?

Section 3: Genesis 48:17-22 “I Know” - Jacob’s Maturity

Genesis 48:17–22 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

— Genesis 48:17-22 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

Observation:

  • Joseph is displeased and tries to correct Jacob. What does Joseph assume about his father’s action?

  • Jacob says “I know, my son, I know.” What does this simple statement reveal about Jacob’s confidence?

  • Jacob blesses both boys but puts Ephraim before Manasseh. Both will be great, but the younger will be greater. What pattern from earlier in Genesis does this continue?

Reflection:

  • Genesis 28:16 (young Jacob): “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it!”
  • Genesis 48:19 (old Jacob): “I know, my son, I know.”

This is a bookend moment. What has Jacob learned over his lifetime about how God works?

  • Jacob’s response echoes Pontius Pilate’s “What I have written I have written” (John 19:22). Jacob is saying “I wrote what I wrote—I know what I’m doing.” How does maturity in faith give us confidence in God’s leading?

Personal:

  • God sometimes chooses the younger over the older (Jacob over Esau, Ephraim over Manasseh, Paul the “younger brother” to reach Gentiles). When have you seen God work through unexpected choices?

  • It took Jacob his whole life to “know” God’s ways—that He is everywhere, He moves and shakes people, He is glorified through unexpected means. What has your lifetime taught you about how God works?

✅ Wrap It Up: Do You Know? Will You Share?

From “I Didn’t Know” to “I Know”

Jacob’s journey is the journey of faith:

Young Jacob (Genesis 28): Runs away from home, stops at Bethel, dreams of heaven’s ladder, wakes up and says: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it!”

Old Jacob (Genesis 48): Nearing death, blessing his grandsons, confidently declares: “I know, my son, I know.”

What changed?

Not God. God was always there.

Jacob changed. He came to recognize:

  • How God works
  • Where God is present
  • How God chooses
  • How God moves and shakes people
  • How God is glorified

Pastor Jack asks: Have you come to that place where you recognize how God has worked in your life?

Can you look back and say “I know—I see it now”?

Jesus Has Elevated Us

John 15:15 - Jesus said: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

Think about this:

Jacob elevated Joseph’s sons—adopted them as his own, gave them inheritance rights, made them equal to his biological sons.

Jesus has done far more for us:

  • Not servants, but friends
  • Not outsiders, but insiders
  • Not ignorant, but in the know

We know:

  • The Father’s will (none should perish - 2 Peter 3:9)
  • The Father’s heart (He so loved the world - John 3:16)
  • The Father’s plan (reconciliation through Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

We are to multiply and grow - not just personally, but by bringing others into the family.

The Central Questions: Do You Know?

Pastor Jack challenges us with a series of penetrating questions:

1. Do You Know? Or Do You Pretend?

Bethlehem: Do you know?

Not: Have you heard? Not: Do you understand the concepts?

But: Do you know? Personally. Intimately. Really.

Or are you pretending?

  • Going through the motions
  • Playing the part
  • Saying the right words
  • But not really knowing God

The difference between Jacob at 28 and Jacob at 130 was: He stopped pretending and started knowing.

2. Do You Care?

If you know—do you care?

Here’s what we know:

  • Sin is the breaking of God’s perfect design
  • We’re all broken
  • God sent His Son to provide reconciliation to God
  • Reconciliation is offered freely

If you know this—do you care?

Not just about yourself, but about:

  • Your neighbor
  • Your coworker
  • Your family member
  • The person who fixes your garage door

Our world needs to hear this.

3. Do You Know the Story?

Can you explain it?

Not in theological jargon. Not in King James English.

But simply:

  • Sin is breaking God’s perfect design
  • God sent His Son to provide reconciliation
  • God just asks: “Do you love Me? Will you accept My forgiveness?”

That’s it.

Can you tell that story?

4. Do You Know the Impact?

What does this change?

Everything:

  • Your identity (friend, not servant)
  • Your purpose (multiply and grow)
  • Your destiny (eternal life)
  • Your relationships (reconciled to God and others)

The impact is eternal.

Do you know that? Do you live like you know that?

5. Will You Share?

This is the question that matters most.

You can know the story. You can know the impact. You can care deeply.

But if you don’t share—what’s the point?

Garage Door Evangelism: When Disruptions Become Destiny

Greg Stier’s story shows us what “sharing” looks like in real life:

The Setup: A garage door that won’t stay shut. A break-in (only sunglasses stolen). A security system install. A garage door that keeps opening on its own.

Huge. Unplanned. Hassle.

But…

Hunter the security technician: 2½ hours together. Gospel conversation. Interested in Jesus, but not ready. Promised to read a book. Pray for Hunter.

Zach the repair guy: Talked while he worked. Born out of wedlock. Single mom. Tough neighborhood. Mom with stage-four cancer. Tears. “On a scale of 1-10, how sure are you you’ll go to heaven?” “5.” A few minutes later, through tears, Zach put his faith in Jesus.

The principle: Sometimes the biggest disruptions lead to destiny-changing conversations.

Click to expand for full story

GARAGE DOOR EVANGELISM by Greg Stier

This week started with a garage door that wouldn’t stay shut. Actually, I parked too close, it bumped my car, popped back open, and stayed open all night. The result? Someone slipped into our garage and rummaged through the car. Thankfully, they only took a pair of sunglasses. The next day we installed a security system. The technician, Hunter, locked our house down like Fort Knox. During the 2½-hour install, we ended up in a Gospel conversation. He was interested in Jesus, but not quite ready. He promised to read Unlikely Fighter. Pray for Hunter. Then the garage door started opening on its own…twice. So the next day, I called the repair company. Enter Zach. As he worked, we talked. Born out of wedlock. Raised by a single mom. Tough neighborhood. Just like me. Then he told me he was flying out to see his mom who has stage-four cancer. This big, tough guy started tearing up. So did I. I asked about his spiritual life. He said he’d started going to church with his girlfriend. Then I asked, “On a scale of 1-10, how sure are you you’ll go to heaven?” He said, “5.” A few minutes later, after hearing the Gospel, Zach—through tears—put his faith in Jesus. Praise the Lord! Honestly, this whole week has been a huge, unplanned hassle. Break-ins. Installers. Repairs. Interruptions. But sometimes the biggest disruptions lead to destiny-changing conversations. Next time something train-wrecks your day, ask: “How can this become a Gospel conversation?” If you need help in sharing the Gospel check out my

Four Minute Crash Course

. And please remember to pray for Hunter, Zach and his mom.

It Starts with a Simple Conversation

Notice:

  • Not a gospel presentation in church
  • Not a formal evangelism event
  • Not a scheduled appointment

Just a simple conversation:

  • While installing security equipment
  • While fixing a garage door
  • In the middle of an unplanned hassle

Pastor Jack says: It starts with a simple conversation.

The question isn’t:

  • Are you trained enough?
  • Do you know enough Bible?
  • Are you holy enough?

The question is:

  • Will you have the conversation?
  • Will you ask the question?
  • Will you share what you know?

The Challenge: How Can This Become a Gospel Conversation?

Next time something train-wrecks your day, ask:

“How can this become a Gospel conversation?”

Not:

  • “Why is this happening to me?”
  • “This is so inconvenient!”
  • “I don’t have time for this!”

But:

  • “Who is God putting in my path?”
  • “What conversation could this open?”
  • “How can I share what I know?”

The technician who comes to your house. The server at the restaurant. The person sitting next to you on the plane. The neighbor dealing with the same problem.

Every disruption is a potential divine appointment.

What We Know and What We Do

Here’s what Jacob knew at the end of his life:

  • God is everywhere
  • God moves and shakes people
  • God chooses the unexpected
  • God is glorified when we recognize His work

Here’s what we know:

  • Jesus has elevated us to friends
  • We know the Father’s will
  • We know the gospel story
  • We know the impact
  • We know our world needs to hear this

The question is: Will we share?

Will you:

  • Turn disruptions into divine appointments?
  • Ask the question (“On a scale of 1-10…”)?
  • Share the story (sin, reconciliation, forgiveness)?
  • Trust God with the results (some will say “not yet” like Hunter, some will say “yes” like Zach)?

🕊️ From “I didn’t know” to “I know” to “I will share” - this is the journey of mature faith.

💬 Final Discussion Questions:

  • Jacob’s journey went from “I didn’t know God was here” to “I know how God works.” What has your lifetime taught you about how God works?

  • Jesus called us friends, not servants—people who are “in the know” about the Father’s will. How does knowing you’re a friend of Jesus change your identity?

  • Pastor Jack asks: “Do you know? Or do you pretend?” Where in your spiritual life might you be going through motions rather than genuinely knowing God?

  • Greg Stier’s garage door hassle became two Gospel conversations. What recent disruption in your life could God be setting up as a divine appointment?

  • It starts with a simple conversation. What keeps you from turning everyday conversations toward spiritual things?

Action Steps for This Week:

Choose one to practice:

UP (Intimacy with God):

  • Spend time this week reflecting: “Where have I seen God work in my life?” Write down 3-5 specific examples so you can share your story.

IN (Investment in Community):

  • Share your “I didn’t know → I know” story with someone in your small group or church family this week.

OUT (Influence in the World):

  • Pray daily: “God, give me one Gospel conversation this week.” Then watch for the disruptions, the technicians, the unexpected people God puts in your path. Ask Greg Stier’s question: “On a scale of 1-10, how sure are you you’ll go to heaven?”

Remember: You know the story. You know the impact. Our world needs to hear this. Will you share?

Pray for Hunter. Pray for Zach and his mom. And pray for the person God is about to put in your path.