Generational Blessings

Introduction

After Joseph revealed himself alive to his family, the whole gang moved to Egypt. We learn that 70 people lived in Goshen because of Joseph (46:27). His reunion with his father was emotional and inspirational (46:29-30). Jacob was brought before Pharaoh and received many blessings, including the land of Goshen for his entire clan to live in and prosper (47:1-12).

Joseph, of course, continued his work on behalf of Pharaoh. He continued to sell their overflow of food to the surrounding lands and also to the Egyptians. The natives had to sell their livestock and land just to survive. So, Joseph bought it all on behalf of Pharaoh and provided seed after the famine for the people to begin anew (47:13-26).

After 17 years of living in Egypt, Jacob’s life was drawing to a close (47:27-31). He summoned Joseph and made him swear to bury him in the land of Canaan, where Abraham and Isaac were buried. When Joseph agreed then Jacob worshiped the Lord.

We need to remember something important, Jacob enters back into the spotlight for these last several chapters. He is the main focus. Why? From the start of Joseph’s story we were meant to learn about the generations of Jacob: Genesis 37:2 “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.”

So, the primary focus of Genesis 37-50 is learning the generations of Jacob, which sets up the work of God in establishing the nation of Israel. We see his generations being fruitful and multiplying in Egypt. They enjoyed great blessings from the faithfulness of Jacob and that of Joseph. We begin to understand the important role Jacob’s family plays in God’s plan: founding a holy nation in order to bring about the Messiah.

With that said, we are going to focus on the close of Joseph’s life. Just note that Scripture highlights Jacob’s life and family, Joseph is a part of that but is not the main focus. But, we get to see generational blessings from people of faith.

I. Blessing Joseph’s Family (Genesis 48:1-22)

A. Jacob became very sick toward the end of his life (vs. 1-9)

1. Joseph and his sons came to see the Patriarch, possibly for the last time in this life

a. Jacob gathered his strength and sat up

b. God had been true to His Word, Jacob had been fruitful and multiplied and his descendants were sure to inherit Canaan as their possession

2. A priority for Jacob here is to include Joseph’s sons as part of this promise by blessing them as his own possession

a. These were the first kids born outside of the “Hebrew tribe”

b. They were being officially inducted into the family, so, Joseph brought his sons forward to be blessed

B. Jacob could not see well, his eyesight had gone through the years (just like his father, Isaac) and he still praised God for seeing Joseph and his sons these last 17 years (vs. 10-11)

1. When Jacob went to bless the two boys he crossed his arms (putting his right hand on the youngest, Ephraim, vs. 14)

a. Usually the firstborn would receive the highest blessing, but Jacob broke tradition

b. Perhaps to provide strength to the younger through an honest channel (the opposite way of when he stole Esau’s blessing)

c. Jacob adopts and and places them as part of the promise that God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob himself

1. May the God of his fathers, the Shepherd of his life, and the Messenger of Redemption give strength to the lads (vs. 15-16)

2. This is why we see 2 half-tribes called Ephraim and Manasseh instead of one tribe named Joseph. They took the place of the son who had died and had been received back

2. Joseph was upset about the younger receiving the higher blessing and Jacob proclaimed that the older would serve the younger (just like it was for him). So, he placed Ephraim before Manasseh (vs. 20)

C. Jacob’s priority was to pass on the best of himself and the blessings he received from God

1. He made special preparations and caused the older to serve the younger, attached them to the True God, Shepherd, and Messenger of Redemption, giving them a place in God’s inheritance, and bid them to be fruitful and multiply

2. What are the things we want to pass on to others?

a. Be intentional about sharing the best parts of yourself with others

b. Connect people to God and show that He is the One who gave you an inheritance in Christ

c. Give them the necessary tools to grow and thrive in the strength of the Lord

II. The Blessing and End of Joseph’s Life (49:22-26, 50:22-26)

A. Before Jacob’s death, he summoned all of his sons and blessed them for the future

1. Jacob is reminded of the resiliency of Joseph. He stood firm, no matter what he faced, with the help of the Lord (49:22-24)

2. Jacob bestowed a great blessing, saying, “May the greatest strength and praise be placed upon Joseph, who has been distinguished among his brothers” (vs. 25-26)

3. Surely, Joseph faced much turmoil in his life, yet, God (his Rock and Shepherd) guided him and protected him to fulfill a grander purpose

B. After fulfilling his obligations of burying his father, it was time for Joseph to die (50:22-26)

1. He got to see his great, great, great grandkids from Ephraim and the kids of Manasseh (Jacob’s blessing came to fruition)

2. After all this time, Joseph still trusted in God’s promise and said twice, “God will surely take care of you” (vs. 24-25)

3. His words and life are remembered as an example of perseverance and faithfulness. What a legacy to leave for generations to come

Conclusion

Joseph’s life is an amazing roller coaster from start to finish. He did not always understand why he was going through such hardships, but he endured with faithful obedience, to be pleasing to God. Isn’t it astounding to see how God worked His plan and purposes through Joseph?

God brought Joseph to Egypt to save the world from a famine and to bring the rest of Jacob’s family to Egypt. They prospered bountifully in Egypt until hundreds of years later when a Pharaoh arose who did not know about Joseph and his work to save Egypt. This Pharaoh became fearful of the Hebrew people and chose to enslave them (the beginning of the book of Exodus). God used that opportunity to show His glory and power, revealing Himself as the One, True, Living God. He called Jacob’s descendants out of Egypt and formed them into a holy nation for His own possession. Why? So that He could bring about the Messiah to save the whole world from sin, a much more severe problem than a famine.

Joseph’s faithfulness continued in his sons and grandsons and God used them to bless the whole world. How will you pass on your faithfulness? Be intentional about sharing the best parts of yourself with others. Connect people to God for He is the One who gave you Christ’s inheritance. And give the tools to grow and thrive in the strength and work of the Lord.