GRACE BEYOND SOCIETAL NORMS (2)
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
TEXT: Genesis 48:19 KJV
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
Today, we shall take a look at various biblical instances where God broke protocol and neglected societal standards and principles in order to bless certain individuals.
- David: David was never reckoned with in the order of greatness in his lineage. As a matter of fact, he was the 8th son. When soldiers were being recruited into the Israelite army, David was not even considered at all. His three brothers, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah were chosen. When the Prophet arrived on a mission to choose a king from among Jesse’s sons, unfortunately, even Prophet Samuel himself made a mistake in discerning the mind of God regarding the chosen king. To the utter shock of Samuel and everyone around, David was the chosen one. In fact, he was not even considered worthy enough to be given the chance of entering into the competition, but grace singled him out from the forest where he was busy battling with the sheep. The 8th child in the family was elevated above his seven elder brothers. (1 Samuel 16).
- Jacob and Esau: Though more or less twins, the society in those days tended to reckon more with the twin child born first than the one that comes out next. Thus, Esau was, more or less, reckoned with as the elder. Despite possessing more skills and talents, Jacob made more headway in life. Of course, we can argue that he dubiously took his brother’s blessings; it was simply the case of a man trying to help God achieve what God had already programmed from the beginning of the world. God broke normal existing traditional protocol to bless Jacob, though he had more challenges than he could have envisaged, but we can’t deny that he was blessed.
- Joseph and his brothers: Joseph was ranked 11th among his father’s sons and 12th if you include Dinah, the only daughter of the family. By every means, Joseph was not qualified for the kind of breakthroughs that he got. However, God proved once again that He blesses who He chooses to bless, position and status notwithstanding.
- Paul: Paul was a relatively young convert compared to the likes of Peter, James, John, Barnabas, Luke, Ananias, etc. But after he gave his life to Jesus Christ, he never looked back again. He was so graced and favoured by God that he conveniently boasted that he laboured more tirelessly than the other apostles and became prominent among them all, having been the originator of most of the codes and ethics that guide the church today.
- Solomon: At the time Solomon became king, he was not traditionally qualified, though God had already ordained that he would get it. His two brothers, Chileab and Adonijah, were far more qualified. However, God decided He would opt for Solomon, and Adonijah especially was relegated to the background. (1 Kings 1)
SEARCHLIGHT:
God doesn’t work with formula. God can deposit a measure of grace upon a man’s life that defies societal principles and standards. Status does not necessarily matter in the scheme of heaven.
PRAYER:
O Lord, count me worthy to be a beneficiary of your divine grace and favour, in Jesus’ mighty name.
BIBLE READING:
Jeremiah 34-36, Mark 9
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
