Genesis 49:22
"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:"
God commands the Christian to bear fruit. He says in John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain..." Bearing fruit is a natural process of anything that has life, and a Christian obtained life when they were born again.
The fruit bearing process is not easy. The Scriptures say, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:" The "bough" is the main branch of a tree. Notice that his branches ran "over the wall." In other words, Joseph grew, but his growth allowed him to help others. When his branches ran over the wall, those on the other side of the fence were blessed and helped because of his fruit. What is often not seen is what it took for Joseph to become the fruitful bough whose branches ran "over the wall."
First, it takes battles to become fruitful. It says in verse 23 that he was "sorely grieved" and "shot at." You will never be fruitful without hard times. Everyone wants the opportunity to be used by God, but it is in times of hardships that we become fruitful. Your branches grow when facing the battles of health, finances, family issues, job insecurity or whatever trial you may face. Joseph became the fruitful bough while a slave in Egypt and while sitting in the prison cell. Those who run from hardships never experience the blessings that come from helping others, because those hardships are what allow your fruitful branches to grow.
Second, it takes perseverance to be fruitful. Verse 24 says that his bow "abode in strength." He continued on in spite of the battles he faced. You will never get to the point of fruitfulness if you don't persevere and continue on. Many of the great ministries of the past did not happen over night, but they happened when men of God continued on for years doing what they were supposed to do day in and day out. You must be willing to persevere and continue on if you want to be the fruitful bough.
Third, it takes determination to be fruitful. Notice again that his bow "abode." In other words, he didn't change what he was doing to get fruit, but he stayed the course. His unwillingness to change the course is what allowed his branches to grow over the fence. Too many people change course because they want quick results, but you must be willing to persevere and keep doing what you are supposed to do to see fruit. Stop looking for another way and just keep doing what you're supposed to do.
Fourth, it takes reliance to be fruitful. It says, "...his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God..." God is the One Who makes you fruitful. When you totally rely upon God in the battles to help you to continue on without changing, then He is the One Who blesses your efforts and gives you fruit. Reliance solely upon Christ and not man is what makes your branches to grow.
Friend, fruit bearing is not for the weak. You must face battles and decide to continue on without wavering if you want God to bless. Let me encourage you to be that fruitful bough "whose branches run over the wall." These four actions will make this happen.