A Lesson from the Patriarchs

by Shelley Hitz

Something that has stuck out to me lately as I've been reading and studying about the Patriarchs....Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.

God gave His promise to Abraham and his descendants first in Genesis 12:2-3,

"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

That same blessing was repeated over and over in the following chapters. And when someone succeeded or prospered, it was because of God's blessing over their life. Not because of them.

When they became wealthy or increased in their flocks, it was because of God's blessing over their lives. Not because of their "hard work" or something they did.

As I thought about this, I had an "Ah ha" moment.

I've been asking God to teach me humility and to demolish any pride in my heart. As I thought about the Patriarchs, I realized that I also have a blessing over my life. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit and Jesus living within me.

Therefore, when I succeed, it isn't because of me. The only reason anything good comes out of my life is because I have God's "blessing" of His Holy Spirit that leads and directs my life.

I humbly remember that it is Christ in me bringing the blessing....I am just the vessel. The jar of clay. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Humility...a recognition of where the blessing originates.

Simple, yet profound.


2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.