"I came to Canaan..from Paddan-aram." https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-48/
Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"Joseph visits Israel on his death bed in the land of Goshen. Israel tells Joseph of his story after he was sold into slavery, and he tells Joseph about how Rachel, Joseph's mother, died while Israel was traveling to Ephrath (AKA Bethlehem). Joseph introduces his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to Israel. Israel blesses them. Israel blesses Ephraim (the 2nd born) more than Manasseh (the 1st born) saying Manasseh will become a tribe, and he too will be great; nevertheless, his younger brother, Ephraim, will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation. Israel tells Joseph that God will bring him and his brothers, via their descendants, back to the land of their fathers in Canaan."
Some key verses from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..
- "Now your two sons [Ephraim and Manasseh], who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine [that is, adopted as my heirs and sons as surely], as Reuben and Simeon are my sons." v.5
- "Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, but see, God has shown me your children as well.” Then Joseph took the boys [from his father’s embrace], and he bowed [before him] with his face to the ground. Then Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands [intentionally], even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then Jacob (Israel) blessed Joseph, and said,
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;
And may my name live on in them [may they be worthy of having their names linked with mine],
And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
And may they grow into a [great] multitude in the midst of the earth.” v.11-16
- "But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know; Manasseh also will become a people and he will be great; but his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” Then Jacob blessed them that day, saying,
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” v.19-20
My personal observations and reflections...
- JACOB WAS SICK. As any son would do upon hearing that their parent is dying-- Joseph visited his beloved father Jacob in Goshen with his 2 sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Genesis 41:50 says "Now two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine came.." If my calculation is right, the sons could be around the age 18 or 19-25 (just within that, not older than 26).
Also, Jacob made mention of Joseph's mom, Rachel's death as he (and the family) journey back to Canaan, some 50 years ago.. This was a sentimental moment for Jacob and Joseph.
* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:
"b. Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you: Jacob’s phrasing is reminiscent of exact promises God made to Abraham in Genesis 17 (see Genesis 17:2, 17:6, and 17:8). Abraham was careful to pass down the exact words of God’s covenant with him to the inheritors of the covenant, because the exact words of God were important."
- THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 'ADOPTION'. The Genesis 48, Amplified Version gives us an advance overview about this:
"a. As Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine: Reuben and Simeon were the first and second born of Israel. Jacob received the two sons of Joseph as adopted into the family at the highest level (as if they were the first and second born).
i. And, perhaps, they were something like replacements for Reuben and Simeon, who were in a sense disqualified from positions of status and leadership in Israel’s family because of their sin (Genesis 34:25, 35:22)."
- JACOB BLESSED JOSEPH’S SONS. Even before blessing his other 'real' sons, from the firstborn to the last (which we will read in the next Chapter, Ch. 49)—we read about a very special time, wherein Jacob blessed Joseph’s 2 sons. Even with difficulty of seeing their faces clearly, due to old age dim eyesight, Jacob seems to be very happy as he embraced and kissed both of them. Joseph responded with respect by bowing his face to the ground.
"b. They shall be mine: Jacob’s adoption of Manasseh and Ephraim explains why there are 12 tribes often listed in different combinations. Because of this adoption, there were actually 13 sons of Israel. The 12 were born, but Joseph was divided into two tribes.
i. Therefore as the tribes are listed through the Old Testament, they can be arranged different ways and still remain 12 tribes. There are more than 20 different ways of listing the tribes in the Old Testament.
ii. As a number, 12 is often associated with government or administration in God’s eyes. There are 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 princes of Ishmael, 12 pillars on Moses’ altar, 12 stones on the high priest’s breastplate, 12 cakes of showbread, 12 silver platters, silver bowls, and gold pans for the service of the tabernacle, 12 spies to search out the land, 12 memorial stones, 12 governors under Solomon, 12 stones in Elijah’s altar, 12 in each group of musicians and singers for Israel’s worship, 12 hours in a day, 12 months in a year, 12 Ephesian men filled with the Holy Spirit, 12,000 from 12 tribes sealed and preserved through the tribulation, heaven has 12 gates of 12 pearls, and 12 angels at the gates, the New Jerusalem has 12 foundations, each with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb, it’s length, breadth, and height are all 12,000 furlongs, and the tree of life in heaven has 12 fruits. The number 12 is special to God."
- JACOB INTENTIONALLY BLESSED THE YOUNGER EPHRAIM. Why did Jacob do that? It was clearly a picture of his life story, God prophesied to his mother Rebekah that the older/firstborn (twin) will serve the younger. Between Esau and Jacob, it was Jacob who God allowed to carry and continue the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob blessed the boys, but the younger Ephraim shall be greater than the firstborn Manasseh.
Now that I think about it, it's kinda unfair that people seems to place a higher importance to the firstborn-- the 'birthright' custom is according to man's standards. It's not like the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th born chose to be born later-- it is still God who ordain everything. Just like what the Bible Footnotes pointed, God can choose anyone, or God can qualify the younger, and even make the older serve the younger. God's ways and thoughts are indeed higher than ours! This brings me to remembrance of some Bible verses:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:
- "Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand: The right hand in the Bible always has the idea of the favored position because generally speaking, the right hand is the hand of strength and skill.
i. The right hand is associated with God’s strength (Exodus 15:6), favor (Psalm 16:11), and help (Psalm 20:6). This is why Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God the Father (Mark 14:62).
i. This was fulfilled in Israel’s history. Both tribes were blessed, but Ephraim was greater as a tribe, even to the point where the name Ephraim was used to refer to the whole northern nation of Israel (see examples in Isaiah 7:8, 7:17, and 11:13).
i. The phrase, “the God who has fed me” is literally “The God who has shepherded me.” This is the first mention in the Bible of God as a shepherd to His people.
i. This shows how the idea of firstborn in the Bible is often a position of pre-eminence, not necessarily meaning “first out of the womb.”
ii. David had the position of firstborn, even though he was the youngest son (1 Samuel 16:11 and Psalm 89:27).
iii. Jesus has the pre-eminent position of firstborn (Colossians 1:15), though this does not mean Jesus was literally the first “born” creature of God, because Jesus was not created."
- JACOB'S CROSSED HANDS. There may be no deeper meaning or significance to this, but Jacob's act of crossing his hands to bless Ephraim and Manasseh reminded of the the 'cross' of Lord Jesus Christ.
- EPHRAIM'S BLESSING. Again, the Genesis 48, Amplified Version gives us an advance overview about this:
- JACOB'S FINAL WORDS TO JOSEPH. Verse 21 says "Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to [Canaan] the land of your fathers." Jacob seems impart his great faith to Joseph here, even prophesying that Joseph (that is, his bones) will be brought to the Promised Land (by God, through the Israelites). Joseph does not belong to Egypt, and Joseph knew well that he is just serving a temporary purpose in the foreign land of Egypt.
"a. Behold, I am dying: This was truly a passing of the torch from Israel to Joseph. Israel was the last of the three great patriarchs to pass from the scene.
b. One portion above your brothers: This referred to Joseph being father of two tribes, while each of his brothers only fathered one.
c. Which I took from the hand of the Amorite: Apparently, while still in Canaan, Jacob battled for control of a portion of land from the Amorites, and he deeded the land to Joseph and his descendants. The descendants of Joseph would take this land some 400 years later.
d. God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers: This completed a wonderful work regarding Jacob’s recognition of God’s presence his life.
· I am with you (Genesis 28:15): God gives the young believer every possible assurance of His presence and grace
· I will be with you (Genesis 31:3): God expects the growing believer to trust He will be with us, even when we only have the promise of His presence
· God…has been with me (Genesis 31:5): God gives a glorious testimony to the mature believer, able to say how God has been with us, even when we haven’t felt His presence in the way we wished
· God will be with you (Genesis 48:21): God gives the mature believer the opportunity to encourage others with the promise of God’s presence "
"C. Joseph as a picture of Jesus (list continued from the end of Genesis 41).
35. His brethren were driven out of their own land.
36. In his second appearing, he did not first go to his brothers; they came to him.
37. He knew his brethren even while unknown and unrecognized by them.
38. He blessed his brethren without their knowledge.
39. He wanted all of his brethren to come to him.
40. There was a significant time gap between his initial relationship with his brothers and his second relationship to his brothers.
41. He his brothers a way of deliverance through substitution.
42. His “second coming” to his brothers had two appearances. He made himself known to his brethren at his second appearing to them.
43. He was revealed as a man of compassion.
44. His brothers repented of rejecting him, with great wonder and tears.
45. He allowed no fellowship (as in eating together) until his brothers repented and he revealed himself.
46. His brethren went forth to proclaim his glory.
47. He made provision for his brethren.
48. He prepared a place for his brethren, and he received them into it.
49. He brought Jew and Gentile together in the land."
Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Gen/Gen-48.cfm ©2013 David Guzik
Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+48&version=AMP#en-AMP-1466
No comments:
Post a Comment