Genesis 48

        Some time after the closing scene of chapter 47, Joseph is informed by his father’s servant that Jacob’s end is drawing closer, and Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob to receive his blessing. It is with gentle irony that we witness Israel, whose eyes are “…dim for age…” (v.10) prepare to bestow his birthright and blessing upon his grandsons. It was a scene very similar to this one over a century earlier that Jacob used guile and deceit upon the aged Isaac to steal a birthright from his twin brother, Esau. But this time there is no such treachery or betrayal.
 
           Verses 2-7: Jacob’s servant tells him that Joseph has arrived, and Jacob collects his strength, drawing himself into a sitting position in his bed. (v.2) He begins by summarizing for Joseph how God first appeared to him at Luz (Genesis 28:13, 19, 35:6) and blessed him. He tells of the promise that God made to his grandfather, Abraham; a promise that was told again to Jacob at Luz; and now Jacob is reassuring his son, Joseph, of that same promise. Israel goes on to affirm for Joseph that his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, are also part of that promise and inheritance, as will be their sons and grandsons. (v.5-6) Because of Joseph’s kindness and generosity to all his family in bringing them down to Egypt and harboring no ill will towards his brothers for their past sins, Jacob elevates Joseph’s two sons to the same status as his own sons. This will have significance in the next chapter when Israel bestows his final blessings and prophecy on all of his twelve sons. Also, Jacob’s use of Ephraim’s name preceding that of Manasseh’s is intentional and significant, a foreshadowing of what’s to occur later during the actual blessing.
          Then Jacob reminds Joseph of what happened to his mother, Rachel, how she died during their journey from Padan-aram and was buried at Bethlehem. It’s not clear from the text exactly why Israel brings this up to Joseph at this particular time. Rachel had always been Jacob’s first love and the favored wife, so perhaps he’s merely reminiscing here while also looking forward to being reunited with her soon.
 
          Verses 8-12: Because he’s partially blind, and perhaps because he remembers how he himself once took advantage of an old man’s blindness, Israel asks Joseph about the two boys with him. (v.8) Joseph brings them forward, introducing them as his sons, “…whom God hath given me in this place…” (v.9) Israel joyfully kisses and embraces them, telling Joseph that he was sure he would never see his son again, let alone his grandsons. (v.11)
 
            Verses 13-20: Joseph guides Manasseh, the oldest, to Jacob’s right hand, the hand which traditionally rests on the head of the firstborn. He guides Ephraim to Jacob’s other hand, but Jacob deliberately places his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh. (v.13-14) When Joseph tries to correct his father, Israel gently rebukes him, assuring Joseph that, while both sons will be great, the lineage of Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh’s. (v.19) Once again, God demonstrates His sovereign election by disregarding the tradition of man and choosing the younger over the elder, as has been His pattern throughout the book of Genesis. (This will be demonstrated once more in the next chapter with Israel’s prophecy regarding his fourth eldest son, Judah.)
            Of all the acts of faith demonstrated by Jacob throughout his life, the author of Hebrews chooses Israel’s blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh in verses 15-16 as the best example. (Hebrews 11:21) The phrase, “The Angel which redeemed me from all evil…” is referring to Jesus Christ. (Genesis 22:11, 28:13, 31:11, Psalm 34:22, 121:7) According to the commentary on this passage in my study Bible, this is the first reference in scripture to Christ as “redeemer” or “savior”. (Compare Exodus 6:6, Isaiah 59:20 and 63:9.) Israel recognizes that it was God who redeemed him, provided for him, and protected him throughout his life, and now he passes that blessing onto the sons of Joseph. “…Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (v.16) There’s also a recognition of Abraham and Isaac walking uprightly before God (v.15) which Jacob offers here as an example of how Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh – and even us today – should respond to God’s providence and blessings.
 
          Verses 21-22: This heartfelt, emotional scene ends with Israel giving Joseph a specific blessing as well. “God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.” (v.21. See also Genesis 28:15, 46:4 and 50:24) This part of the blessing/prophecy would be fulfilled more than four hundred years later. (Exodus 13:19, Joshua 24:32) He goes on to say that he has also granted to Joseph double the portion of blessing that will be given to his brothers, yet another exception to the familial inheritance tradition of the ancient Near East culture of that time. It was typically the eldest son that received the double inheritance. The meaning of Israel’s words here will become clearer in the next chapter when he gathers all his sons to say goodbye.