Trans-generational Vision

"This is the history of Jacob: Joseph,” - Gen. 37:2a

"This is the history of Jacob, Joseph…” the story begins in Genesis 37. Though Jacob was memorialized, his historical destiny only began to manifest as he transcended generations and served a vision much larger than his own.
Jacob's impact would ultimately reverberate vicariously through the life of his son. This is a key to making history--you must begin with a vision that is bigger than you, larger and longer than your lifetime, more than you could possibly accomplish, and outside the realm of your own personal charisma and charm. God sponsors such visions that could only come from Him.

The story of Joseph is not only for young men who have visions, but as Joel said, old men who have dreams. The standard American self-help book has limited success to the span of one lifetime and thus failed to inspire men beyond their own generation. According to Genesis 37:1, the true history and greatness of Jacob did not occur during his own watch, but in the generation that sprang from his loins. Children are part of the multigenerational blessing that God wants to give His people, but few modern Americans can picture their influence across the lives they leave behind.

Jacob was the father of twelve sons of Israel who would carry the mantle of Jehovah's providential purposes into every nation on the face of the earth. "In you,” God said to Abraham, "all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:3). God thinks trans-generationally. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so for anyone to fully leverage their potential destiny and impact, they must begin to expand their vision to their children's children.

Such thinking will revolutionize a young man's decisions. When entering marriage, there will be a deep desire to build a godly foundation that will support the fathering of Godly seed. "God makes them one spirit because He seeks Godly offspring." (Mal. 2:15) Financial decisions and ministry commitments will be better evaluated across the generations. Men who think three generations deep will not rush to obtain success or fame in ministry. They will not be driven by our society's constant need for results but will realize the process of building may take tens or even hundreds of years if it is to maintain.

The history of Jacob only begins in his lifetime. His greatest contribution to the survival of his people comes through the providential life of his son Joseph. As fathers and young men, we should carefully cradle the purposes of God in their infancy. We should never despise or neglect the smallest baby or task that God has given us, knowing that though our beginning may be insignificant, our latter end will be great.

Let me see the generations to come
And leave a blessing for my children’s children.