Mar 28

Genesis 47-48
Memorise Hebrews 11:21
“By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph”

Jacob was now an old man. He had finally been reunited with his beloved son Joseph, whom he had been separated from for so many years. His family had settled down comfortably in the land of Goshen, and he was assured that they would be well taken care of. 17 years had already passed since they came to Egypt, and they had prospered and began to multiply exceedingly (Genesis 47:27). He knew that the time he had left on this earth was limited, and wanted to bless his children before he was to leave.

Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Knowing that his father’s passing was soon, he brought his sons before their grandfather to seek his blessings. Although he was old and weak, his mind was still very alert. He told Joseph: “And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine” (Genesis 48:5). Basically he was receiving his grandsons and elevating them to be as equal to the rest of his sons! Each of Joseph’s sons will have a tribe to their name, just as Reuben and Simeon would. What a great blessing and a fitting reward for one as faithful and God fearing as Joseph.

Then, as Joseph brought the two sons forward to be blessed, Jacob deliberately crossed his arms, desiring to bless Ephraim the younger with the greater blessing. This was something which though unusual, was an act of faith, for Hebrews 11:21 tells us that it was by faith that Jacob blessed both the sons of Joseph. He must have known that Ephraim would in time to come be the greater and more prominent tribe. Thus he said of Manasseh “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” (Genesis 48:19).

In time to come, we will see both of them becoming large and powerful tribes in Israel. Manasseh had the most land of any tribe, but Ephraim would have the most prominence. When the kingdom split after Solomon, the Northern Kingdom of Israel would at times be also named Ephraim – for they were the strongest tribe in the north. Indeed Joseph had a great reward for his faithfulness. The Lord never forgets!

Thought: What blessings can we look forward to if we are faithful?
Prayer: Lord, may I learn to be faithful like Joseph was.