Genesis 48: Jacob Blessed Joseph and Sons

Jacob is older in age now and fell ill; his illness was reported to Joseph. The viceroy of Egypt took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to see his father. Israel then went into the brief history of his life to his son. He told him how the LORD ALMIGHTY appeared to him in Canaan and blessed him.

The ALMIGHTY told Israel the same things HE told Abraham and Isaac; they will be a multitude of people and will have the land as an everlasting possession. Jacob then told Joseph his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh (not the order the names are said or written), would be his own.

Jacob took the two of them as his own sons, just like Reuben and Simeon are his. He’s literally spiritually adopting his own grandsons as his own sons. He reminded Joseph that his mother Rachel died in the land of Canaan.

Blessing the Sons of Joseph

Joseph brought his sons to Jacob and they embraced; Israel didn’t think he’d ever see Joseph again (when he was reported killed), let alone Joseph’s children. Israel proceeded to bless the children, with his right hand on the head of Ephraim and his left hand on the head of Manasseh.

Joseph thought the hand positioning should be the other way around. First Jacob blessed Joseph, then he blessed the boys; he put his name on them, and the name of his fathers. He blessed them to grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Joseph tried to correct his father’s hands, but Jacob didn’t budge. Ephraim was projected to become a multitude of nations. Joseph was given one portion more than his brothers; he took these lands out of the hand of the Amorite with the sword and bow (Genesis 48).

Takeaways:

Principle: Passing the family blessing down to the next generation and speaking prophetically over your children. Placing upon them the responsibility of being themselves, of being honorable to the ways of the ALMIGHTY. We saw it done with Abraham to Isaac, Isaac to Jacob, and now Jacob to Joseph.

History: Israel passed the blessings and birthright to Joseph and Ephraim. In the world today, much is spoken of Judah (Jews) and Levi, but not much is mentioned of the tribe from the 12 tribes that received a double portion, the house of Joseph.

Prophecy: The tribe of Ephraim would become a multitude of nations within the Israelite nation. They would receive a double portion; that would be of land, peoples, and blessings.

More 5 Minute Studies

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The disciples asked, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

BibleStudyMinistry.com with KingdomOfPriests.com are working together with others to usher in the Kingdom of the ALMIGHTY! Join us!