Genesis 48 Lesson: Jacob's faith facing the end

Bible Study Series: Joseph, Jesus and You

Genesis 48 Lesson: Jacob's faith facing the end

by I Gordon

Now, I know that this series is meant to be on the life of Joseph (and he will figure in this study), but it is his father Jacob that takes center stage this time. We are in the last part of Genesis 47 and chapter 48 today, exploring the blessing and faith of Jacob as he approaches the end of his earthly life. We'll look at:

• What Jacob wanted assurance of as his death neared... and why
• What Jacob saw as important as he looked back on his life - and what we should
• Why Jacob blessed Ephraim over Manasseh, and how the right hand blessing and his exaltation of the 2nd born, points to Jesus
• We'll conclude with the faithfulness of God throughout Jacob's life and how that gives us assurance as well

Jacob's request in view of his death

Gen 47:27-31 Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number. (28) Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. (29) When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, (30) but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." "I will do as you say," he said. (31) Swear to me, he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

So it is now 17 years since Jacob moved his entire family to Egypt and everything is going well thank you very much. The difficult days of the famine are now 12 years in the past and Jacob's family are still living and prospering down in Goshen, the most fertile part of Egypt. They have their possessions and needs met. And they are multiplying quickly. Life is good. And yet when approaching death Jacob is adamant about not being buried in Egypt. In fact he makes Joseph swear that he will be buried with his fathers back in Canaan. Hmmm... 

So Joseph swore to Jacob that he would carry him back and bury him, with his fathers, in Canaan. And so we read that 'Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff'. It is interesting that this act is recorded in the Hebrews 11 'hall of faith'. There we read:

Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

There was faith involved as he blessed Jacob's sons. But why was faith involved as he worshipped God, leaning on his staff? He is now at the end of his life, contemplating his death and burial. And as he looks back over his life at all the events and all the difficulties, he can see the hand of God through it all. Even as he leans on that staff... the staff which he has walked with since God touched and dislocated his hip all those years ago, leaving him with a limp thereafter... that staff and the dealing it represents, was still a blessing in disguise and Jacob knows it. As he looks back he can say that truly, all things work together for good, for those that love God. And so he worships. He is bowed down, in his heart, in praise and awe before the One who has never left him.  

And thus the ex-supplanter was to end his life in an act of worship. He is the only hero of faith of Hebrews 11 to be commended as a worshiper. He had come a long way by the grace of God, and would soon go out in a blaze of glory.
William MacDonald, Believer Bible Commentary

Jacob recounts the important things of life

Gen 48:1-7 Some time later Joseph was told, "Your father is ill." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. (2) When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed. (3) Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me (4) and said to me, 'I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.' (5) Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. (6) Any children born to you after them will be yours; in the territory they inherit they will be reckoned under the names of their brothers. (7) As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem).

As Jacob recounts the important moments of his life, it is interesting to see what he wants to make mention of. Firstly, and most importantly, he remembers meeting God at Luz (Bethel). He remembers both the blessing and the promises God gave him that day. As he recalls the covenant that God made with him, he also makes note of the fact that the land that was promised to him and his descendants as an everlasting possession. And he also remembers the love of his life. And in particular, losing the love of his life, Rachel. You will note how he says we were only a little distance from Ephrath (Bethlehem). In other words, 'We nearly made it. We were close. But I had to bury her that day.' Life doesn't always go as we expect in this fallen world. Even for those in the 'hall of faith'. So what comes to mind as you look back at the highlights, and maybe sorrows, of your life? Can you remember the times you have encountered the Lord Jesus? Maybe you lost some loved ones unexpectedly or had other times of deep sorrow. What would you look back on? I have a feeling it will all involve Jesus, salvation and people. I doubt you will be thinking about that nice car or house you bought!

The adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh

Jacob also did something special for his grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh at this time. He would soon depart from this world but would go out with blessing on his lips exalting his two grandchildren to a position equal with his own sons. He said to Joseph 'your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.' Reuben was Jacob's firstborn and Simeon his second. So he is placing Ephraim and Manasseh at the same level as his own first and second born sons. Later in 1st Chronicles it says that Joseph's two sons replaced Reuben in the rights of the firstborn because of Reuben's sexual sin (Gen 34:25, 35:22):

1Ch 5:1-2 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father's marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, (2) and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)

The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh

Gen 48:8-19 When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, "Who are these?" (9) They are the sons God has given me here, Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, "Bring them to me so I may bless them." (10) Now Israel's eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. (11) Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too." (12) Then Joseph removed them from Israel's knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. (13) And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him. (14) But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. (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 to this day, (16) the Angel who has delivered me from all harm --may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth." (17) When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. (18) Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." (19) But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations."

Jacob's physical eyesight was poor but spiritually he was seeing clearly. Very clearly. In fact in these last days of his life he had 20/20 spiritual sight and it wasn't just his short distance vision that was working. His long-distance spiritual sight was perfect as he could see events far off into the future! Now as Jacob went to bless Joseph's two sons, Joseph was watching closely and immediately thought that his old mostly blind father was making a mistake. You see Joseph had lined his sons up perfectly, according to age, to receive the blessing of Jacob. All Jacob had to do was reach his hands straight out and bless them. Simple right? And then Jacob goes and crosses his arms, putting his right hand on the younger child Ephraim! 'Oh... come on! It's not hard!' 'Dottery old Dad's making a mistake again!' Joseph would have thought to himself. So we read 'when Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." 

So old Jacob needs to clarify with Joseph that he is not making a mistake. Now before moving on, what was important about the blessing of the right hand? Why the right? This is actually the first mention of blessing being associated with the right hand in scripture but it is far from the last. Why the right hand? What does this speak of?

The Shepherd, the Angel of the Lord

Gen 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 to this day, (16) the Angel who has delivered me from all harm - may he bless these boys.

I'll draw your attention to something else Jacob said at this powerful moment in time. He speaks of God as 'my shepherd' but also as 'the Angel who has delivered me from all harm'. This is the first mention of God as a shepherd in scripture, something that this family could certainly relate to. Yet He is also 'the Angel'. The Angel, or the Angel of the Lord, is a 'Christophany' in the Old Testament. That is, it is speaking of one of the many 'goings forth' of the One who would one day later be born in Bethlehem! 

Mic 5:2-4 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (3) Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel. (4) And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth.

So Gen 48:16 tells us that as Jacob looked back over his life, he saw that there had been a very special Angel watching, guiding and protecting his life. When he was running from Esau or getting tricked by Laban, this Angel had been watching over him. And one night he had even had to wrestle with this Angel to obtain his blessing!

Hos 12:3-5 ...In his maturity he (Jacob) contended with God. (4) Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us, (5) Even the LORD, the God of hosts, The LORD is His name.

So the Lord and the Angel looking over Jacob's life are one and the same. And right from His first meeting with Jacob at Bethel He had protected Jacob. And on it continued till here he is, an old man, about to die, yet able to testify that he has had a shepherd 'all my life to this day'.¹ This again is Jesus and, as a reminder, He hasn't changed! 'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to the day of Christ Jesus' as well if you are His. His promise to believers is the same as that to Jacob for He has said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'.²

The importance of the 2nd born in Genesis

Gen 48:20-22 He blessed them that day and said, "In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.' " So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

So Jacob knew what he was doing, putting his right hand on Ephraim. He quietly told a slightly disturbed Joseph 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he...' And so he blessed them putting Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. So did the younger Ephraim become greater than Manasseh as Jacob prophesied? Yep! The name 'Ephraim' came to be used to represent all of the northern tribes just as Judah represented the south. While Manasseh stayed on the other side, east of the Jordan river. And the Bible says that the jealousy between the north and the south, Ephraim and Judah, will be gone when the Messiah returns!

Isa 11:12-13 And He will lift up a standard for the nations And assemble the banished ones of Israel, And will gather the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. (13) Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, And those who harass Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, And Judah will not harass Ephraim.

Now, there is another point to note in this blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh. Have you noticed a theme in Genesis where the 2nd born takes the place of prominence and blessing that the first was meant to have? Why is that and can you think of some examples? In Isaiah the Lord says:

Isa 46:8-10 "Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. (9) "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, (10) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.'

So God declares the end from the beginning and Genesis is the book of beginnings. That is why there are so many pictures and types in this book for they give a prophetic glimpse into the future. So how do we apply this to the fact that the second born was often more 'spiritual' or received the blessings of the firstborn in Genesis? Hold that thought. Let's look at some examples first.

Conclusion - God's faithfulness throughout life

Gen 48:21-22 Then Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. (22) And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."³

So the chapter ends with what is literally a death-bed scene. Yet there is no remorse or fear. Why is that? Because Jacob knows the One in whom he has trusted and he knows where he is going. And that is a good note to conclude with! So what is on his heart and mind at this time? Well, blessings for his sons and assurance of God's ongoing faithfulness as they go on - just as he has experienced over his long life. With his approaching death Jacob is actually concerned about everyone else but has a great little 'but God' to give rest to their hearts. 'I am about to die...' he says, 'but God will be with you.' He had been the father to this great people that were developing from his line - the Israelites. But ultimately, there is a greater Father over all. That is the incredible thing about God - He is with His own, wherever and whenever, they are. And He is with all of them at the same time. Jacob had done his best to be a good father and lead his children in the way they should go, but there is another Father who is developing faith and His own relationship with all His children. 

So may we get to the end of our lives and see the faithfulness of God. May we testify of His faithfulness as Jacob did. And may we too learn of this faithfulness from experience so that we too would have confidence to encourage and build the faith of others. 

God Bless.

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FOOTNOTES