May 13, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 48 (NIV)
Manasseh and Ephraim
1 Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. 2 When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed……Continue Reading
Chapter 47 removes my confusion regarding Ephraim and Manessah representing Joseph. They are two brothers, yet one tribe of the twelve. Got it now.
God’s covenant with Abraham falls literally on his seed, revealed, or hidden as it were, in Joseph, or sired in “promise”, as was Isaac, or in the “flesh”, as was Ishmael. God intended all the seed to live in His righteousness, yet it would not be so. And so it is with many of us in our own families. The heart of the parents yearn for our kids to return to the house, the House of The LORD, el-Beth-el.
As grand as this seems to me, God’s blessing on Abraham, and my own family, it affects me, or rather should shake me, that the current conflict in Israel is really between two brothers, whom God loves, and God through Judah set up One to be praised, Shiloh, that brothers would return to God. There is little time left.
“Surely, I come quickly. Amen, even so come Lord Jesus.” Revelation
Great perspective Gordon!
Genesis 48. Wonder if there is a significance to Rachel being buried in Bethlehem. Jacob favored Rachel the younger daughter of Laban and Jacob was the younger son and now blesses the younger grandson over the elder. Definitely a theme with Jacob.
You can imagine that God is orchestrating something there knowing where Jesus would be born and the tragedy that Herod would inflict on the young boys there…
”But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”“
Genesis 48:19 NKJV
It is interesting when God does the unexpected. It’s not always the firstborn. Isaac, not Ishmael. Jacob, not Esau. Ephraim, not Manasseh. Joseph, not Reuben.
Genesis 48
Joseph went immediately to his father when told his health was bad. Jacob does not Bless Joseph sons the way he expected. Wonder if has anything to do with the first will be last and the last will be first that we hear in New Testament? Loved all the other comments!
Although it may be a representation of that principle, I don’t think it was the reason behind it. The reason behind it was God’s Spirit revealing to Jacob how he should prophesy over each one of them.
Genesis 48
I read the letter of Paul to Titus this evening. 1-3.
Genesis 48
Joseph brings both his sons to his father Israel so that he may bless them. Israel blesses both of them but blesses the younger son { Ephraim} over the older son { Manasseh}. He says that they will be both great but Ephraim will become a multitude of nations. God must had been directing Israel in these two blessings for how else would he know. I do remember latter in scripture that when the tribes were counted that Ephraim had so many more people than Manasseh. At least I think that I remember that correct. My memory is not what it was. It hates to get old. God bless.
Genesis 48
Genesis 48
How significant this chapter is in the history of Israel. There would be 12 tribes, 12 sons of Jacob, yet the Levites would not inherit any land and would be the Jew’s offering to God. And so Joseph’s sons here take the place of both Joseph and Levi in the way the land would be dispersed and effectively the 11th and 12th tribe of Israel. So what a blessing for Joseph and the recognition he receives for being the one who followed God so faithfully and saved all of Israel in the process. It was probably a hard pill for Manasseh to swallow, not knowing how old they were here, but it is best to accept any order that God establishes and continue to seek God for the blessing He will still provide in the context of that.
So, once more, God breaks the rules and proclaims the younger son to be greater than the older son. We must always keep our eyes on what the Lord does instead of focusing on what the world thinks should be done.
Genesis 48
It is clear Jacob despite his age, his vision, and his current situation is being led by God here to bless the younger son over the eldesest. His does not need help or correction from Joseph but seems completely clear on his actions. Once again God does something unexpected but we know there is always a plan and a reason with God.