you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Isaiah 51:1-2, “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.”

The line of heritage you come from influences who you are, both the blessings and curses. Noah and his sons, Abraham and his line were all impacted by their lineage and the blessings and curses spoken over the following generations. Jacob even manipulated and lied to obtain the heritage through His father

Noah came from the line of Seth – a line of people who began to worship and call on the name of the Lord. The line of Enoch who walked and talked with God in such a close and intimate relationship that God took him up.

When all the world was filled with violence and corruption, Noah held fast to a covenant with God. Him and his entire family were taken into the Ark for a fresh start for the world – all to be populated from Noah's line..

When Jesus went to the cross, He took us with Him. We were in His loins. He broke every curse from our previous lineage and were were born again... made anew as those from the line of Jesus... the 42^nd generation. We are subject to receive all the blessings of being from His lineage.

David says in Psalm 103:1-4,

“Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies...”

Not only are our lives influenced by our lineage, but they are also influenced by those around us. Abraham influenced Lot...He followed into a new land because of Abraham. When he was with Abraham, Lot greatly prospered. His faith was strengthened through his relationship with Jesus.

The people we choose to surround ourselves with will have influence on the life we live. A daily devotional notes, “We are shaped by culture, our personal values and presuppositions, the people we listen to, and what we choose to fill our minds with. Who do you love? Who do you work for? Who do you seek to please or impress? These are the forces that shape your life and leadership. What will you allow to shape you today?” [1]

Another one influenced by others around him were Samuel who was influenced and raised by Eli. And Josiah who was also raised by priests and prophets. Commentary notes about him, “Although he had been a child of only eight years when he inherited the throne of his murdered father... It was fortunate for him and his country that he was guided by pious men like the High Priest Hilkiah and his son Jeremiah, by Shaphan the royal scribe and his son Ahikam, by Shallum the faithful chamberlain and his wife the prophetess Huldah.” [2]

What influence do we allow to have on us and our lives?

1. Lead Like Jesus Online Devotional - Day Number 344: Autonomous Leadership, 12/10/14.

2. http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/464028/jewish/King-Josiah.htm