Genesis 48:1-22

Manasseh and Ephraim: Last Days of Israel

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48:1 Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, "Behold, your father is sick." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him.

 

2 When it was told to Jacob, "Behold, your son Joseph has come to you," Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.

 

3 Then Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,

 

4 and He said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.'

 

5 "Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.

 

6 "But your offspring that have been born after them shall be yours; they shall be called by the names of their brothers in their inheritance.

 

7 "Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)."

 

8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Who are these?"

 

9 Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here " So he said, "Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them."

 

10 Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.

 

11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well."

 

12 Then Joseph took them from his knees, and bowed with his face to the ground.

 

13 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.

 

14 But Israel stretched 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, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

 

15 He blessed Joseph, and said,

"The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,

The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,

16 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil,

Bless the lads;

And may my name live on in them,

And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;

And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

 

17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim's head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

 

18 Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head."

 

19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations."

 

20 He blessed them that day, saying,

"By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying,

'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!'"

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

 

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, "Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers.

 

22 "I give you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow."

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way we think, and the way we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Blessing of Manasseh and Ephraim

Why did Jacob lay his right hand on Ephraim? He gave the younger son the greatest blessing which was against tradition. When Joseph protested and tried to remove his hand Jacob stated that this was no mistake.

The God Factor

In truth, God had directed Jacob in this matter as He had all through the life of Israel (Jacob). The old man was told by God that Ephraim, not Manasseh would be the greater of the two sons saying; "his descendants shall become a multitude of nations."

God's Plan

When God chooses people to do His will, it is not always the oldest, the strongest, the most talented. He goes much deeper into a person's life than what is shown on the surface.

There are hundreds of stories in the Bible of people God used who were far from perfect. People like Saul (Paul), David, who was also a younger son, and the list goes on and on. So, you see? - When God calls upon a person to do His work, it doesn't seem to matter what the background or the position of that person.

God Calls Us Too!

What about us? Yes, there is a chance that God will call you to do a task for Him. It might be something you feel totally unqualified to carry out but, with God, all things are possible. Remember, God is qualified - all we have to be is willing.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Genesis 42:1-38 - The Brothers meet Joseph in Egypt