God has made me forget....

I have been reading through the Old Testament story of Jacob, preparing a sermon on one part of his life. I hope to preach it sometime….. but I digress. 

as I was reading about Jacob, his story also ran into the life of Joseph— Joey was his son, after all. There is so much truth found in the lives of both Jacob and Joseph, but what stood out to me, today, at least were the names of Joseph’s sons. 

it comes from Genesis 41:  

“Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh 51 and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."

52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”(NIV84)

I find the names Joey gave his children interesting. 

the first child he named Manasseh— the wording sounds like “God has made me forget.” 

if you know the story of Joe- you know he had been through a lot! (had a dream, told his brothers about said dream, got sold into slavery; ended up in the Penthouse, and the the Jailhouse, then second in command in all of Egypt…) 

He had endured a ton. but looking back on his life, he chose to name his son: God has made me forget. Interesting. 

His second son was named Ephraim; which sounds like God has made me fruitful. 

Also intersting. 

Not only did God help Joey get over what was done to him— God has caused me to forget— He also helped Joey to be fruitful— or to have enough. 

Where do I fit in in this mess.. where do you fit in this mess? Well, If your past is less than stelar, ask God to help you forget; and if your present is fruitful; be sure and thank him. 

God is able to make you forget; and God is able to make you fruitful. But don’t forget Who it was that made you fruitful.