Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh. When Israel [who was almost blind] saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”
Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here [in Egypt].” So he said, “Please bring them to me, so that I may bless them.” Gen 48:8-9
INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
II. GOD AND THE CHOSEN FAMILY, Genesis 12-50
3. The History of Jac0ob’s Sons, Joseph and His Brothers
(4) Jacob Goes to Egypt. He and Joseph Die There, Genesis 46-
87. What did he foretell in adopting Joseph’s sons?
JACOB BLESSES EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH
When Israel [who was almost blind] saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”
Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here [in Egypt].” So he said, “Please bring them to me, so that I may bless them.”
Now Israel’s eyes were so dim from age that he could not see [clearly]. Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed and embraced them.
Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, but see, God has shown me your children as well.”
Then Joseph took the boys [from his father’s embrace], and he bowed [before him] with his face to the ground.
Then Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.
But Israel reached out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands [intentionally], even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
Then Jacob (Israel) blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked [in faithful obedience], The God who has been my Shepherd [leading and caring for me] all my life to this day,
The Angel [that is, the LORD Himself] who has redeemed me [continually] from all evil, Bless the boys; And may my name live on in them [may they be worthy of having their names linked with mine], And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a [great] multitude in the midst of the earth.”
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him [because he was not the firstborn]; and he grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn; place your right hand on Manasseh’s head.”
But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know; Manasseh also will become a people and he will be great; but his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”
Then Jacob blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce a blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'” And he put Ephraim before Manasseh.
Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to [Canaan] the land of your fathers.
Moreover, I have given you [the birthright,] one portion [Shechem, one mountain ridge] more than any of your brothers, which I took [reclaiming it] from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.” [Gen_33:18-19; Jos_24:32-33; Joh_4:5]
JACOB BLESSES JOSEPH’S SONS
By his act in blessing them, Jacob reversed the verdict of birth, and gave the younger the birthright. Probably there were qualities in Ephraim which naturally put him in the foremost place. The Bible is full of hope for younger sons. He spoke of the Angel, Jehovah, so often referred to in the Old Testament, and who can be no other than the Son of God. He also is our Shepherd, Guardian and Friend. He will feed and tend us all our life long. He will redeem us from all evil and bring us to a blessed end in peace. Be of good cheer! He cared for you in your helpless infancy and will do no less in your helpless old age. If any lads hear this portion read let them notice that old Jacob prayed God to bless the lads. Evidently then, no little lad is too small for God to notice and bless! Though the fathers die, God lives and will bring us again to “the land of the leal.”
Comments by
WILLIAM MACDONALD
Believers Bible Commentary
On
Genesis 48:8-22
II. THE PATRIARCHS OF ISRAEL (Chaps. 12-50)
D. Joseph (37:1–50:26)
10. Jacob’s Blessing of Joseph’s Sons (Chap. 48)
48:8-22 Then Jacob blessed the grandsons, giving the birthright to Ephraim, who was the younger. Joseph tried to correct this in favor of Manasseh, the firstborn, but Jacob said that he had done this intentionally. What memories must have gone through his mind as he, by faith, gave the blessing to the younger. Years earlier his own father had unknowingly blessed him, the younger. But now he was blessing the younger, not through ignorance, but because he was in touch with the God who holds the future. Israel had faith that his descendants would one day return to the Promised land. Jacob gave Joseph a mountain slope which he captured from the Amorites. Perhaps this refers to the area containing the well that came to be known as “Jacob’s well” (Joh_4:5).
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