Jacob tells of God’s blessing on him
When Joseph heard that his father, Jacob, was sick he took his two sons to go and see him. And when he got there Jacob sat up to receive them. Then he told Joseph the blessing God gave him at Bethel, that He would multiply him greatly and give the land of Cannan to him and his descendants as their everlasting possession.
Joseph’s sons to be Jacob’s sons
Jacob told Joseph that his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, born to him before Jacob came to Egypt, would be numbered as Jacob’s children. But other children he would have later will be his own. So, Manasseh and Ephraim will be on the same level as Reuben and Simeon, and they will receive their inheritance as they would.
Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim
When Jacob saw Joseph’s sons, he was happy to see them. And Jacob blessed God that he not only saw Joseph again but also saw his sons. Then he called on God according to how he knew Him to bless the boys. And he said
“…The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked [in faithful obedience], the God who has been my Shepherd [leading and caring for me] all my life to this day, the Angel [that is, the LORD Himself] who has redeemed me [continually] from all evil, bless the boys…”Genesis 48:15-16 AMP
Joseph corrects Jacob on the placement of his hands
Before Jacob blessed the boys, Joseph put Manasseh on Jacob’s right hand and Ephraim on his left. However, when Jacob started blessing them, he put his right hand on Ephraim and his left hand on Manasseh. As such, he crossed his hands. But this displeased Joseph because Manasseh was his firstborn, so he corrected his father. Nevertheless, Jacob refused and said he knew it, but that the younger will be greater than the older. So, Jacob put Ephraim before Manasseh.
Jacob tells of the future
Jacob told Joseph that he was about to die, but that God will take them back to Cannan. He also told him that he had given him an extra portion of land, more than his brothers. This land he got from the Amorite with his sword and bow.
Lessons
- It’s good to take your children to visit your parents. This gives them joy. And do remember what you sow, you will reap.
- Generational blessings or instructions must be passed down. This ensures that descendants after you don’t lose the blessings or instructions. Also, it will ignite faith on their part to see it fulfilled in their lives if it’s yet to be fulfilled.
- It’s good to teach your children about the God you serve and make Him known to them; telling them what He is to you. I loved the way Jacob introduced God to the children before blessing them.
- Father’s blessing is important; however, you will have to draw it from his heart by gladdening his heart. This was how Jacob and Joseph drew their fathers’ blessings; Jacob with the venison that Isaac loved, and Joseph with the great things he did for his family.
- Truly, God recognizes firstborn children like human beings do. But sometimes, he positions the younger ones before the older ones. For example. the Lord placed Jacob above Esau and Ephraim above Manasseh.
- When you greatly gladden your parents’ hearts more than your siblings, they might leave more portions of inheritance for you than others.
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Reference
Genesis 48
Jesus is Lord!
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Ngozi Nwoke
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