Year 1, Week 8, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 8, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Genesis 48-49.

As the book of Genesis draws nearer to a close, today’s reading records two chapters of blessings and oracles. Genesis 48 documents the blessings that Jacob spoke to Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Genesis 49 reports the oracles that Jacob spoke to his own sons, but with special focus on the blessings spoken to two of his sons, Judah and Joseph. These two passages that contain Jacob’s parting words are placed in between Jacob’s instructions concerning his death and burial (Genesis 47:29-31), and the description of Jacob’s actual death and burial (Genesis 49:28-33).

What struck me from today's reading is how it reveals the Lord’s unfolding plans pertaining to His people. Jacob is about to die, but the plans and purposes of the LORD will not die with Jacob. Jacob is acutely aware that the advancement of God’s promises will continue on through his descendants: “By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:21). To begin with, Jacob is able to sense that the LORD has a special place for the sons of Joseph: “Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet;” (Psalm 60:7, see also Psalm 108:8).

Jacob is near death. As Joseph learns that Jacob is on his deathbed, he brings his two sons to visit Jacob. Jacob recounts God’s faithfulness in his life: “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.” (Genesis 48:3-4). But a surprising twist unfolds as Jacob takes Joseph’s two sons as his own: “And now your two sons, 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, as Reuben and Simeon are.” (Genesis 48:5). Reminiscent of Isaac’s blessing upon Jacob over Esau, Jacob places favored blessings upon the younger brother over the older brother: “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)”. (Genesis 48:14). Although this time there is no deception at work. In fact, the deception was not needed previously, for all along God’s plans were to involve the younger advancing over the older. Functionally, with Joseph’s two sons being blessed as though they were sons of Jacob, Joseph is receiving the double blessing as if he was Jacob’s firstborn: “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, 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 multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Genesis 48: 15-16; see also 1 Chronicles 5:1-2). Jacob is fully confident that the LORD’s plans and purposes will continue advancing through his sons and grandsons. Thus, Jacob imparted this confidence up to his sons and grandsons: “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers.” (Genesis 48:21).

After Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim, he then summons his sons to him in order to describe to them what is in their future. Judah and Joseph are given prominence, while the rest of the sons are spoken to in brief and in some cases, terse ways. Concerning Judah, significant Messianic oracles are stated: “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up.  He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:8-10). While Joseph will receive the blessing of the firstborn, it will be through Judah that the Messianic King will come. References to the emergence of a king have already been made to Abraham (Genesis 17:6) and Jacob (Genesis 35:11), but now the promise has been narrowed further. The kingly greatness promised to Judah will involve someone who will deservedly receive both worship and obedience, as he displays strength and victory over all enemies. As we continue reading and tracing the outworking of God’s plans and purposes, we will need to keep an eye on what unfolds in the line of Judah. Watch for a king.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe