Text: Gen 22:1-19, 1 Kings 21:1-29, 1 Sam 2: 12-34
Legacy is something handed down or received from an ancestor or a predecessor or a leader. Legacy can be good or bad. It is also an inheritance. Good inheritance includes a good family name, godly lifestyle, cherished memories and possessions. Bad inheritance includes a bad family name, an ungodly lifestyle, debt, liabilities and inherited diseases.
Let us consider some people in the scripture who left bad legacy: King Ahab, Prophet Eli and Gehazi.
In 1 Kings 21:1-29
King Ahab of Samaria wanted Naboth's vineyard but Naboth did not want to give it to him due to the reason that it was his inheritance. Jezebel (Ahab's wife) wrote a letter in Ahab's name that people should witness against Naboth and implicate him. Naboth was killed and Ahab took the vineyard. In return, God sent Elijah the Tishbite to Ahab, "In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs shall lick up your blood - yes, yours"; "I shall not bring this disaster in his day, but I shall bring it on his house in the days of his son". The son would thus inherit the consequences of the father's wickedness.
King Ahab and Jezebel brought evil unto their succeeding generation.
You have to watch your desires. And a wife too should seek and apply divine wisdom when there is need to advise. I pray you will not leave evil behind for your children to inherit. Amen
In 1 Sam 2: 12-34
Eli's two sons were contemptible, wicked, had no regard for the Lord, treated the Lord's offering with contempt and were sleeping with the women who served at the gate entrance to the Tent of meeting. Eli could not restrain them as a result of which Eli lost the glorious destiny meant for him and his generation. God pronounced a curse in 1 Sam 2: 31-32; "The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there shall not be an old man in your family line; and you will see distress in my dwelling".
Eli apparently brought destruction to his father's house by his permissive role in his children's evil deed.
"All your descendants will die in the prime of life; and the two sons will die same day". As parents, always employ the instrument of correction. In addition to providing children with all life necessities including western education, you need to bring them up in the way of the Lord. Failure to do so may lead to eternal condemnation and earthly destruction.
In 2 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha deceitfully and craftily collected the reward Elisha refused to collect from Naaman whom he healed of leprosy. Gehazi denied collecting the reward. For this, Prophet Elisha pronounced leprosy unto Gehazi and his descendants. Elisha pronounced in 2 kings 5:27, "Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants for ever. Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow". Gehazi left leprosy for his descendants. Illegitimate riches and possessions may be visited by the wrath of the Lord which may even affect the succeeding generations. Beware of these consequences.
In Gen 22:1-19
Abraham, the father of faith was about to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God's instruction when a ram was provided miraculously instead. He was ready to give all to God. Gen 22:12 says, "Now I know that you fear God. Because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son". Gen 22:16, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, v17, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies', v18, and through your offspring all the nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me". Can you see how Abraham's obedience brought blessings to his generations? No wonder God blessed Isaac, Jacob and other generations. Up till today many believers still sing "Abraham blessings are mine (2ce). I am blessed in the morning, I am blessed in the evening, Abraham blessings are mine".
Abraham left a legacy of bountiful blessings that are being appropriated by several generations.
Learn from this, obedience is better than sacrifice. Is there anything too much to give to God? Abraham was ready to give all. God blessed him more than he could ever imagine and his generations. What a legacy!
In Act 9:30-39
Dorcas made a great impact on her community by doing good, helping the poor by making robes and clothing for the widows. When she died, the room where she laid was filled with mourners especially those whom she had helped. Peter, a disciple of Jesus was sent for; he raised up Dorcas and handed her to the believers and the windows. Because of this, many believed in the Lord. They did not wish her dead because of the good legacy.
I have witnessed a situation where a head of state died and his country men jubilated. The conclusion then was that they wanted him dead. He left a bad legacy and unpleasant memories.
People are watching what you are doing and heaven is taking record as well.
Our Father in Heaven gave His all to us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". God sent his son to save the world. What a kind, loving and compassionate God.
Also the son Jesus died for your sake. He became poor so that you can be rich. By His stripes you were healed. He shed His blood for the atonement of your sins. He died for you and I. What a great legacy can be greater than this!
The choice is now yours. But better let it be a good legacy. A good name is better than riches and gold.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, teach me to do things that will please you and glorify your name.
Make me a source of blessings to my generation and generations to come.
By my own I can not do it, I need your grace oh Lord.
Grant me the grace to leave behind a good legacy, in Jesus name I pray. Amen
Legacy is something handed down or received from an ancestor or a predecessor or a leader. Legacy can be good or bad. It is also an inheritance. Good inheritance includes a good family name, godly lifestyle, cherished memories and possessions. Bad inheritance includes a bad family name, an ungodly lifestyle, debt, liabilities and inherited diseases.
Let us consider some people in the scripture who left bad legacy: King Ahab, Prophet Eli and Gehazi.
In 1 Kings 21:1-29
King Ahab of Samaria wanted Naboth's vineyard but Naboth did not want to give it to him due to the reason that it was his inheritance. Jezebel (Ahab's wife) wrote a letter in Ahab's name that people should witness against Naboth and implicate him. Naboth was killed and Ahab took the vineyard. In return, God sent Elijah the Tishbite to Ahab, "In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs shall lick up your blood - yes, yours"; "I shall not bring this disaster in his day, but I shall bring it on his house in the days of his son". The son would thus inherit the consequences of the father's wickedness.
King Ahab and Jezebel brought evil unto their succeeding generation.
You have to watch your desires. And a wife too should seek and apply divine wisdom when there is need to advise. I pray you will not leave evil behind for your children to inherit. Amen
In 1 Sam 2: 12-34
Eli's two sons were contemptible, wicked, had no regard for the Lord, treated the Lord's offering with contempt and were sleeping with the women who served at the gate entrance to the Tent of meeting. Eli could not restrain them as a result of which Eli lost the glorious destiny meant for him and his generation. God pronounced a curse in 1 Sam 2: 31-32; "The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there shall not be an old man in your family line; and you will see distress in my dwelling".
Eli apparently brought destruction to his father's house by his permissive role in his children's evil deed.
"All your descendants will die in the prime of life; and the two sons will die same day". As parents, always employ the instrument of correction. In addition to providing children with all life necessities including western education, you need to bring them up in the way of the Lord. Failure to do so may lead to eternal condemnation and earthly destruction.
In 2 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha deceitfully and craftily collected the reward Elisha refused to collect from Naaman whom he healed of leprosy. Gehazi denied collecting the reward. For this, Prophet Elisha pronounced leprosy unto Gehazi and his descendants. Elisha pronounced in 2 kings 5:27, "Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants for ever. Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow". Gehazi left leprosy for his descendants. Illegitimate riches and possessions may be visited by the wrath of the Lord which may even affect the succeeding generations. Beware of these consequences.
In Gen 22:1-19
Abraham, the father of faith was about to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God's instruction when a ram was provided miraculously instead. He was ready to give all to God. Gen 22:12 says, "Now I know that you fear God. Because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son". Gen 22:16, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, v17, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies', v18, and through your offspring all the nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me". Can you see how Abraham's obedience brought blessings to his generations? No wonder God blessed Isaac, Jacob and other generations. Up till today many believers still sing "Abraham blessings are mine (2ce). I am blessed in the morning, I am blessed in the evening, Abraham blessings are mine".
Abraham left a legacy of bountiful blessings that are being appropriated by several generations.
Learn from this, obedience is better than sacrifice. Is there anything too much to give to God? Abraham was ready to give all. God blessed him more than he could ever imagine and his generations. What a legacy!
In Act 9:30-39
Dorcas made a great impact on her community by doing good, helping the poor by making robes and clothing for the widows. When she died, the room where she laid was filled with mourners especially those whom she had helped. Peter, a disciple of Jesus was sent for; he raised up Dorcas and handed her to the believers and the windows. Because of this, many believed in the Lord. They did not wish her dead because of the good legacy.
I have witnessed a situation where a head of state died and his country men jubilated. The conclusion then was that they wanted him dead. He left a bad legacy and unpleasant memories.
People are watching what you are doing and heaven is taking record as well.
Our Father in Heaven gave His all to us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". God sent his son to save the world. What a kind, loving and compassionate God.
Also the son Jesus died for your sake. He became poor so that you can be rich. By His stripes you were healed. He shed His blood for the atonement of your sins. He died for you and I. What a great legacy can be greater than this!
The choice is now yours. But better let it be a good legacy. A good name is better than riches and gold.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, teach me to do things that will please you and glorify your name.
Make me a source of blessings to my generation and generations to come.
By my own I can not do it, I need your grace oh Lord.
Grant me the grace to leave behind a good legacy, in Jesus name I pray. Amen
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