If Jacob was anything, he was intentional. Earlier in life he very intentionally wrangled his way for the birthright and his father’s deathbed blessing (Gen 25:31, ff.; 27:1-29). Then there was his determined, seven-year quest to marry Rachel (29:15-20); the meticulously executed plan to increase his spotted and speckled flocks (30:32, ff.), and the covertly devised flight from Laban (31:17-21).
But the cunningly intentional Jacob met his match the night he wrestled with the Lord. And that crafty part of his intentionality seems to have been left on the other side of the Jabbok (32:22, ff.). He’s a changed man going forward.
And after the space of many years we come to the deathbed of a now seasoned and godly Jacob who purposes to bless his sons. His intentionality is unmistakable: the blessings are in verse, and they seem to have been thoughtfully crafted and rehearsed (Gen 48-49).
So I’m taking a page from Jacob’s playbook on preparing a memorable blessing for children and grandchildren. Here’s my adaptation and expansion of a portion of his blessing in 48:15-16.
The God before whom my fathers Curtis and Dennis walked,
The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
The Lord Jesus who has redeemed me from all evil,
Bless and keep each of you.
May my God, and the God of my fathers Curtis and Dennis,
be your God and the God of your seed.
Urge them and pray them unto Him, that none be lost,
and that we all shall behold the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Perhaps you will consider preparing a blessing for your own children and grandchildren. May the Lord bless your intentionality.