GENESIS 48
10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” 12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). 15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitudein the midst of the earth.” – Genesis 48:10-16
GENESIS 48 JACOB BLESSES JOSEPH & HIS SONS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Joseph presented his sons to his father’s deathbed
Jacob’s eyesight was already going and he can’t see them
So, Joseph brought Manasseh and Ephraim nearer his father
Jacob took them both and placed his right hand on Ephraim
His left hand he placed on Manasseh even though he was the firstborn
Then he blessed Joseph and the boys so that his name will be carried on.
On his deathbed, Joseph and his sons Manasseh and Ephraim gathered to pay homage to their beloved father and grandfather. Here, Jacob mentions how his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham, had that covenant promise from God himself to their family. At this time, he thanked the Lord for allowing him to see Joseph again and also his sons in Egypt. Prior to these verses, we hear Jacob adopting these grandchildren to be like his own two sons. He passed on to them the same blessings he gave all his sons. Jacob wanted these two grandsons to have hierarchy in receiving God’s promise to his offspring.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think Jacob placed his right hand on Ephraim and not Manasseh?
