Genesis 48:1-22
Q.1. Why did Joseph go to visit Jacob? What was uppermost in Jacob’s mind as he faced death? How could he claim Ephraim and Manasseh as his own? – (Gen.48:1-7)
Though Joseph had thoroughly embraced the Egyptian lifestyle, he still held his commitment to his father’s God (c.f. Gen.50:19-21). When he heard that Jacob was nearing the end, Joseph took his two sons for his father’s final blessing. We learn why Jacob made Joseph swear to take his body back to the Promised Land. Not only had Joseph trusted in God to fulfill his visions … so did Jacob. He reminded Joseph about the confirmation of the Covenant blessings of His God. He had to rest where his descendants would live (Gen.48:3-4 c.f. Gen.47:29-30). He still sorrowed for his beloved Rachel, the mother of Joseph, yet he in no way feared death. Jacob would pass on the birthright and the sceptre of authority to his fourth son, Judah. He also claimed the two firstborn sons of Joseph – Ephraim and Manasseh. He would give a double portion of God’s blessing to Joseph, through his two sons, and regard them as he did his other twelve sons (Gen.48:5-6). History reveals how accurate this blessing on Joseph proved to be. God assigned the priesthood to the tribe of Levi. Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh replaced the tribes of Levi and Joseph. This gave Joseph a double portion. (i.e. the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh). God would later confirm to Moses – 12 “Now, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn, the first issue of the womb among the sons of Israel. The Levites shall be Mine. 13 For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the Lord (c.f. Num.3:12-13). In this way, Joseph would hold two portions of the Promised Land.
Q.2. Why was Jacob so blessed to see Joseph’s sons? What was Jacob’s prayer for Joseph and his sons? (Gen.48:8-16)
Jacob never lost his wonder at God’s goodness. He was thankful that God not only allowed him to see his favourite son again … but also Joseph’s children (Gen.48:11). His strength and eyesight were failing but he enjoyed embracing and kissing the boys. Joseph carefully placed his firstborn, Manasseh to receive Jacob’s firstborn blessing – 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 (Gen.48:14). He then passed on the Covenant blessings through Joseph to his sons – 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.” (Gen.48:15-16).
Q.3. Why did Jacob cross his hands? How did Joseph react? What special prophetic blessing was extended to Joseph? – (Gen.48:14, 17-22)
Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn, so Joseph was displeased when Jacob placed his right hand on Ephraim. He tried to reverse the order – 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.” (Gen.48:19 c.f. Gen.48:18). God clearly over-ruled in the prophetic blessing on Joseph and his sons. Jacob further declared about Joseph – 21 … 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 (Gen.48:21-22). Though God had led Jacob to sojourn in Egypt, this was not the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen.48:3-4 c.f. Gen.15:7, 13-14, 18-21; Gen.26:3-4). The Scriptures lay down the principle that – Those who honour Me I will honour (1 Samuel 2:30). God honoured Joseph in a unique way.