Beginning Young Genesis 48 8-10, 18, 20

Read the passage: Genesis 48

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+48&version=ASV

v8 1) Don't wait to expose your little ones to their Biblical heritage. 

(and Israel beheld Joseph's sons, ... ) 

v9 2) Acknowledge God's gift of children with acceptance of your stewardship responsibilities. 

(They are my sons, whom God hath given me) 

v9 3) Place your children before God in line to receive His blessings. 

(Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. ) 

principally, by prayer

Expose them to Godly teaching- biographies of Godly men.

Safeguard from false doctrine, from worldly pleasure, from fleshly enticement.

v.10 4)Give to your children Godly love and nurture. 

( ..• and he kissed them, and embraced them.) 

Nurture obedience, not just command.

Nurture a desire for God.

Nurture a desire to please Christ and an awareness of responsibility to Christ.

Reveal God as the source of all of life, all of your life. (father must live accordingly.)

V12 5) Show them RESPECT AND  humility at a young age. 

(And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.) 

Respect and guard the plan and purpose of God for their life.

Receive them and respect them as God’s gift.

Respect God by respecting His gift.

Matthew 18: 2-6   Don’t offend little ones.

Matt. 19: 14  Don’t discourage faith of little ones.

V18 6) Contend for their faith.        V.15,16 spiritual heritage

(And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father; . . .) 

based on Joseph's heart not his understanding 

desire for them God’s best.

Intercession- keep them  before the Lord; keep the Lord before them.

Spiritual defense- spiritual warfare, spiritual protection, spiritual instruction.

Help identify for them their own opportunities of faith; desire faith of them.

Be faithful in trust of God on their behalf.

Don’t attribute want of error or sin to them.

Pray for God’s given opportunities- their correct response to them.

Pray for their Godly gain and nurture.

V20 7) Secure the promises of God on their behalf. 

(and he blessed them that day ... ) 

secure them in God's promises 

To be blessed by God is a great thing--though Ephraim was favored.