Genesis
48- Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
Jacob
has come a long way since his early days.
It is wonderful to observe in this that spiritual life is a growth and a
development.
Jacob
gave a blessing while he still could.
Reuben’s sin cost him the blessing of the firstborn, which went to
Joseph’s sons. God changed the birth order as Jacob put Ephraim ahead of
Manasseh. The one who stood at Jacob’s
right hand would be the one with priority.
Joseph was disturbed by the move, but Jacob was right. We must never try to tell God how to bless
other people. We will see that the tribe
of Manasseh marched under the banner of Ephraim in the wilderness, as described
in Numbers. Joshua came out of the tribe
of Ephraim.
When Joseph pushed the older son to the right
hand of Jacob and the younger toward his left hand, Jacob switched hands. He crossed his hands and put his right hand
on the younger son. One reason may have
been because Jacob was the younger and he received the blessing. So, he passes the blessing on to the younger
son here. God does not choose any man
because of his natural ability. The
talent is not dedicated to God, it must be yielded to Him to be used of Him.
Joseph
had better accept this because he is not the oldest either. He happens to be one of the youngest, and yet
the blessing is given to his sons. Joseph through his two sons, would have a
greater inheritance than the other brothers would have.
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J.
Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,
NKJ version.
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