LINK: Genesis 48
BACKGROUND
Israel adopted Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and gave them a double portion. They had effectively replaced Reuben and Simeon as the firstborn sons and 1 Chronicles 5:1 confirms this when it says that "because he [Reuben] defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph." Remember that Reuben presumptively slept with his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22).
We talked about blessing when we talked about Esau and Jacob and when Jacob blessed Pharaoh in the last chapter. The prime blessing was with the right hand; and in keeping with what we have seen throughout Genesis (Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh), the younger brother was the one who received the primary blessing! God's ways are not always man's ways. Even though Joseph was displeased by this, Jacob meant to do this. There will be fulfillment of this later on in the Scriptures; Ephraim becomes the most powerful of any tribe of the Northern Kingdom (Isaiah 7:2, 5, 8-9; Hosea 9:13; 12:1, 8).
Fact: Luz in 48:3 is another name for Bethel.
APPLICATION
What have you learned about the character of God through your reading of Genesis? How can this affect your praise of and trust in Him?
PRAYER
Lord, continue to establish Your Word in us as that which produces reverence for You (Psalm 119:38). Amen.
2 comments:
When we come to the dividing of the land, it may be more clear to me. Right now this is what I see. Joseph (as far as land went) "became" two "half-tribes", each of which received a full portion (and one even complained that it wasn't enough!). Because the Levites did not receive a portion of land, as far as the "balance sheet" goes, this is where the extra portion for Joseph's house came from.
Originally, I suppose this extra portion was Reuben's birthright.
I think I'd always assumed the two half-tribes were just "added in," but now I see that together they ARE the tribe of Joseph. At least, I think I see that.
The inheritance laws--and the blessings--were SO important in that culture. Maybe I should remind my parents that I am the firstborn...
Just wanted to add that I am reading along, even though I don't always get to actively participate.
I have learned that God has a purpose and a plan and usually much bigger than me!
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