Jacob reversed the tradition in 2 manners:
(1) He gave double portion of inheritance v.5 to Joseph (plus the land he took from Amorites v.22). In other words, Joseph was the first born son by Jacob's will. Jacob based on the fact that Joseph was the first born from Rachel and he loved Rachel over Leah to give the birthright to Joseph v.7.
(2) purposely blessing the younger Ephraim over his older brother Manasseh v.12-20.
The Scriptures did not explain Jacob's reason. I think it was because Jacob himself was the younger and he stole the blessings from his older brother, Esau. God has been helping him because of that blessing. It was indeed good for him. Now, when he blessed the younger one, Ephraim, he reminded other people that he was the one who enjoyed the blessings from God.
(1) He gave double portion of inheritance v.5 to Joseph (plus the land he took from Amorites v.22). In other words, Joseph was the first born son by Jacob's will. Jacob based on the fact that Joseph was the first born from Rachel and he loved Rachel over Leah to give the birthright to Joseph v.7.
(2) purposely blessing the younger Ephraim over his older brother Manasseh v.12-20.
The Scriptures did not explain Jacob's reason. I think it was because Jacob himself was the younger and he stole the blessings from his older brother, Esau. God has been helping him because of that blessing. It was indeed good for him. Now, when he blessed the younger one, Ephraim, he reminded other people that he was the one who enjoyed the blessings from God.
Most important of all, Jacob passed the blessing God gave him to Joseph.
48:21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.
That was told by God to Jacob when he went down to Egypt 46:3-4.
Reflection: Jacob was no doubt a deceiver, but he saw great value in the blessings from God and that was why he stole it from his brothers and he wrestled with the angel. Now, at the end of his life, he gave the best thing to his beloved son, which was the blessing of God. He experienced it himself in all his life and now he reconfirmed that it was the best part of his life.
God has been his shepherd and protected him from all harm.
48:15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,
“May the God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked—
the God who has been my shepherd
all my life long to this day,
48:16 the Angel who has protected me
from all harm—
bless these boys.
May my name be named in them,
and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.
May they grow into a multitude on the earth.”
What value do you see about God's blessing? Will you tell others about His goodness in your life? At the end of your life, what is the best thing you can pass down to your children and their children? When was the time that you experienced God as your shepherd? What was the time that you experience His protection (e.g. during the pandemic of Covid 19)?
Audrey
48:21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.
That was told by God to Jacob when he went down to Egypt 46:3-4.
Reflection: Jacob was no doubt a deceiver, but he saw great value in the blessings from God and that was why he stole it from his brothers and he wrestled with the angel. Now, at the end of his life, he gave the best thing to his beloved son, which was the blessing of God. He experienced it himself in all his life and now he reconfirmed that it was the best part of his life.
God has been his shepherd and protected him from all harm.
48:15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,
“May the God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked—
the God who has been my shepherd
all my life long to this day,
48:16 the Angel who has protected me
from all harm—
bless these boys.
May my name be named in them,
and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.
May they grow into a multitude on the earth.”
What value do you see about God's blessing? Will you tell others about His goodness in your life? At the end of your life, what is the best thing you can pass down to your children and their children? When was the time that you experienced God as your shepherd? What was the time that you experience His protection (e.g. during the pandemic of Covid 19)?
Audrey
2026
Questions:
1. God is the shepherd of Jacob and He protected him.
2. v.15-16, in ch 47:9 He described his life as few and painful
3. (BKC) Years later Ephraim became a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom, much superior to the tribe of Manasseh, as Jacob had predicted.
4. (BKC) He had learned that in spite of what man attempted to do God had blessed him, the younger. This he now carried forward to Joseph’s sons.
5. God's plan will be fulfilled. His salvation plan for me will also fulfilled.
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