This post was last updated on February 16, 2026

Day 344, Year 1

Walk on the Path of Worshipping God

“By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:21 NASB)

Today’s verse refers to two things Jacob did before his death. According to Genesis chapter 48 verse 2, he sat up on his bed. In my understanding, he worshipped God first, before mentioning Him, and then blessed Ephraim and Manasseh. When Jacob was dying, he could barely get out of bed (Genesis 48:1-2). But he chose to worship God with his dizzy eyes (48:10). In my opinion, the sequence is crucial because Jacob first worshipped God, then, most likely, received guidance from Him to bless Ephraim, his younger grandson, so that he would inherit a greater blessing than Manasseh. Otherwise, we may suspect that Jacob imposed his own experience on Joseph’s two sons, that he was the younger son, but inherited the firstborn blessing from Isaac.

Jacob said to Joseph concerning Manasseh, his older grandson, “‘He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he.’… And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.” (Genesis 48:19b, 20b NKJV) This displeased Joseph, but if it was from God, who could stop it?

Jacob’s worshipping God near the end of his life was very uncommon compared with his younger years, when he was often in his own way. Worshipping God and blessing others meant something unique to Jacob. When he was young, he was forced to use deception to obtain his father’s blessing. After that incident, there had been many twists and turns in his life with fear. However, Genesis chapter 28, verses 11 to 22, records that the young man Jacob met God at Bethel and made a vow to Him to follow Him if He kept him in peace all the way. This was the beginning of his experience of God. He then gradually felt the goodness of God and drove away all the fear in his heart.

Genesis chapter 32, verses 23 to 32, records Jacob’s wrestling with an angel of God. Finally, he had to get the angel to bless him before he would let him go. This was a turning point in his life. Probably, he felt how difficult the road of his life was without God’s blessing. But he did feel God’s blessing, provision, and protection. In his old age, his faith in God was strong, and he feared Him with all his heart, for how can a dying person who does not fear God in worshipping Him wholeheartedly? Indeed, worshipping God can increase our faith and even lead others to receive His words with blessings.

Reflection questions:

1) Have you ever wondered if God asks you to bless others, but then upset them? If so, what would you do?

2) It was not easy for the dying Jacob to worship God. How much effort are you willing to put into worshipping God and blessing others as He leads you to be?