Genesis 48

Bible Passage: Genesis 48

Jacob/Israel was very advance in age and sick, and he knew that he was about to depart from the earth and his children.

Joseph was the first to get this news and he came to visit his father with his 2 sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Israel recounted his encounters with God to Joseph and also adopted Joseph’s 2 sons; that means they were equal with their uncles in receiving the blessings from Israel. He did this because Reuben the firstborn defiled his father’s bed; therefore his birthright was given to Joseph’s sons (1 Chron. 5: 1).

Again, beside the incident of Esau selling his birthright, here we see Reuben losing his, due to immorality. These are indeed stern reminders of our actions with regards to our salvation, we must hold on tightly to the hope that we have, for the glory that is to come is much more desired than the mundane short-lived pleasures of this world.

The recounting of Israel about his encounters with God was praiseworthy, and something we must learn, for he gave thanks and glory to God Who had protected and provided for him through his long life, even amidst hardships.

Indeed this is a very beautiful scene, for it is like a father passing his faith down to his children. This faith did not come from a “hear-say” way but was a true and living faith in God whom Israel had seen and touched (Gen. 32: 24 – 25).

And also, this recounting by Israel, I believe, would definitely further strengthen Joseph’s faith in God.

The complete truths that we have received in the True Church are indeed very precious, for they can truly give us salvation. Therefore, the passing on of the complete truth to the generations to come is of utmost important whether we are parents or RE teachers.

But of course this passing on of the complete truth has to be a gradual and constant process, not only when we lie on our deathbed.

Another touching scene is where we can see the father and son’s gratitude towards God through those testing times:

Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”

Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.”

And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.”

Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph

brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.

And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!”

Genesis 48: 8 – 11

Indeed God makes all things work for good for those who love Him. God allows us to go through testing times to build our characters and to melt the impurities in us through the fire; then at the end of the tunnel, we will see the sure and comforting light of God awaiting us.

The next thing we can see in this chapter is about the way how God works, and the way God works is definitely beyond our understanding.

In the case of Isaac’s 2 sons, Jacob and Esau, God seemed to have “favored” the younger, and now again, the younger son, Ephraim, seemed to be favored over Manasseh by Israel.

To me, the action of Israel blessing his 2 grandsons by crossing his hands to put his right hand on the younger one instead of the older, was not his own doing, but God’s.

For this blessing seemed to be more of a prophecy than a blessing from favoritism. God sees the future according to His omnipotent nature.

Remember the former things of old,

For I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like Me,

Declaring the end from the beginning,

And from ancient times things that are not yet done,

Saying, “My counsel shall stand,

And I will do all My pleasure,’

Isaiah 46:9 – 10

These prophecies came true indeed when we read in the Book of Numbers regarding the number of the children of Manasseh and Ephraim – 32,200 and 40, 500 respectively (Num. 1: 32 – 35).

Joseph was displeased when he saw his father blessing his children not according to human norm, but Israel told him, “I know, my son, I know…”, with this expression, I believe Israel was very sure that it was God’s hand that was guiding him in his action and this prophecy.

So whatever God wills to do, He will do it. But we must understand that His will is always good, for He does things according to His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13), and His good pleasure is always beneficial for us, His children.