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GENESIS 49:22-24

"THE SECRET OF STRENGTH"

Intro: Jacob's children summoned to his death bed where he prophesies over them.

I. "JOSEPH IS A FRUITFUL BOUGHT."
        A. What a beautiful picture of a man's life.
                1. A branch loaded with fruit.
                2. "Herein is my Father gloried, that ye... "
        B. "Whose branches hang over the wall."
                1. His life would bless and nourish others.
                2. People would gather to the well for refreshment, a limb full of peaches
                   hanging over the wall.

II. "THE ARCHERS HAVE SORELY GRIEVED HIM."
        A. Who were the archers?
                1. Brothers.
                2. Potiphar and his wife.
        B. Bow and arrow a cowardly weapon.
                1. Contrast to a sword.
                2. Never read unsigned letters.
        C. Arrows of envy and jealousy.
        D. Arrows of hatred and treachery.
        E. Arrows of heartless cruelty.
        F. Arrows of temptations.
        G. Arrows of lying accusations.
        H. Arrows of disappointment.

III. "HIS BOW ABODE IN STRENGTH."
        A. The capacity for revenge was given to him.
                1. He refused to take it.
                2. What he came into favor with Pharaoh and made the second man in Egypt.
                        a. Potiphar and wife expected axe to fall any day.
                        b. What sweet revenge he could have taken on his brothers.
                3. It many times takes much greater strength to hold the bow than to let
                   the arrow fly.
        B. The desire for revenge is very strong.
                1. I don't like anyone putting something over on me.
                2. I love to get even, but if I can get ahead that's even better.
                3. I can understand letting the arrow fly and getting even whenever you can.
                        a. Any weakling can do that.
                4. But to hold back, to forgive that takes great strength. More than I have.

IV. "THE ARMS OF HIS HANDS WERE MADE STRONG BY THE HANDS OF THE MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB."
        A. God was hold back his hands.
        B. We are not now speaking of fairness.
                1. Sure you have the right to get even.
                        a. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
                2. We are talking about turning the other cheek.
        C. Many of you are unwilling to receive an apology, just waiting for the chance to
           let your arrows fly. Anybody can do that.
                1. It takes great strength to hold back.
                2. Greater than I have, God help me.
        D. Teaching archery.

V. "FROM THENCE (THE MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB) IS THE SHEPHERD, THE STONE OF ISRAEL."
        A. The supreme manifestation of restrained strength in Jesus Christ.
                1. When arrested in garden identified by the kiss of Judah, Peter drew sword.