Joseph is a fruitful vine,
    a fruitful vine near a spring,
    whose branches climb over a wall.
With bitterness archers attacked him;
    they shot at him with hostility.
But his bow remained steady,
    his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
    because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
because of your father’s God, who helps you,
    because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the skies above,
    blessings of the deep springs below,
    blessings of the breast and womb.
Your father’s blessings are greater
    than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
    than the bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
    on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
- Genesis 49:22-26
 
As we close our time of study in the life of Joseph, we thought it could be helpful to hear the blessing Joseph’s father spoke over him at the end of his life.
 
Blessings like these show up throughout the Bible as a way to summarize past events, comment on the character of the individual being blessed, and to lay out a path for the person going forward.
 
Jacob (that’s Joseph’s father) beautifully captures Joseph’s resiliency and success, and reminds Joseph of the central role God has played in the midst of all of it.
 
When in your life have you been the recipient of words of blessing, of someone with authority in your life commenting on your past, your character, or your potential? What effect did that have on you? Who might you have the opportunity to speak a word of blessing or encouragement over today?