Genesis 48 Commentary
Two events played out for Jacob and Esau: the birthright and the blessing. The same two events play out here. Chapter 48 is about the birthright, while chapter 49 is about the blessing.
The birthright goes to Joseph. Ephraim is named first ahead of Manasseh – reflecting the unnatural flow of events. No one gets it because of his natural birth status. Equally, no one misses it because of circumstances beyond their control.
At the same time, this chapter displays another critical angle of Jacob’s family. It was always going to be Joseph, right? Indeed, it was always going to be Rachel, right?
Yes, the patriarch mentions Rachel during the blessing ceremony. Fond memories. Always wanting to impress his sweetheart! We observe it. A man can only love one woman. Jacob won’t pretend. The LORD designed it this way. No, it wasn’t favoritism. And his hand was always going to land on Joseph. Again, this is a natural path for what he subconsciously regarded as his real marriage.
These things are written for our instructions.
Yes, the product comes out but men swap molds and alter exit points for the products. So all Jacob’s children are God’s products but irresponsible men and women always do what they always do – mess whatever they handle.
One Joseph becomes two. It’s a double portion for the firstborn son. It also represents growth and fruitfulness. Joseph shall have two portions when the tribes inherit the land the LORD God had given Abraham.
What manner of faith is this? Jacob still talks about God’s promise at Bethel. El-shaddai promised Jacob a piece of land – an everlasting possession. Out of this land, Joseph shall get two portions. Jacob considered Egypt a temporary situation for Israel. He considered Egypt’s riches as nothing. He looked to the future and land was an important part of the future.
When a man talks about an inheritance, an inheritance that he doesn’t have, then you know his faith is at another level! When he boldly puts Ephraim ahead of Manasseh, all in “anticipation”, then you know God has taken over! Faith may be described as God’s freedom to speak through a man – without a man applying brakes to the speech.
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