What a message there is in this verse: we are the children of the "old age of the Lord"! We are the last children to be used in these last days, when the devil will act with all his fury and hatred. The Word declares: Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time (Revelation 12:12). Let us offer ourselves to the Lord, and He will use our lives as He sees fit.

           In His wisdom, the Most High planned that man would know the Truth, and so He created all the necessary things for His plan to succeed, as the Scriptures declare: The way of God is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried; it is a shield to all who trust in it (Psalm 18.30). The path He has established will never be prevented from working, because it is perfect. The Word of God comes with the good quality "seal”!

           Jacob grew old physically, but his faith blessed Pharaoh, who was perhaps was the only one of Egypt's kings to recognize God's action (Genesis 47.7). Years later, before he died, Joseph took his sons to his father, who was very old and about to leave, and he blessed them both. When Joseph saw that Jacob was placing his right hand on Ephraim, he took it to place it on Manasseh, reminding him that he was the firstborn. However, Israel refused to bless the eldest by divine command (Genesis 48.14).

           The interesting detail of the passage in Genesis 48:14 was that Jacob placed his right hand on Ephraim in obedience to Heaven. How good it would be if all fathers lived before the Most High, to have their decisions directed by the Holy Spirit. Jacob did this consciously. Understand: no servant of the Lord should act outside of divine ordinances. We need to have more experiences with our heavenly Father!

            Anyone can be a child of the "old age of God", of the Lord's good experiences with His servants. As we prove our love to the Father, He will also love us. Israel saw in Rachel's first-born son the hand of the Almighty making him a servant to be used on behalf of the families of that region, to prevent their imminent death because of the famine at that time. God knows everything!

           The trials suffered by Joseph made him fit to govern the Egyptian economy in those days of food shortages throughout the known world. God sees before everything happens, that's why He loved Joseph. Flee from sin to protect your future. In the Lord's plan, you will be given all the tools to be used by Him. Great is the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven for your life. Be faithful until death (Revelation 2.10)!

           Joseph's colorful tunic was a gift from his father to his beloved son. In the same way, the covering on us has all the beauty we need, because, with varied colors or abilities, we can face the power of the enemy and come out victorious: So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7). Thanks be to God!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares