01-104 Israel Adopts Joseph’s Sons
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Genesis 48:1-22
Genesis 48:1-22
There is a website—a compendium of all things “national day” (national ice cream day). Today is National Star Trek day and national grandparents day. Tomorrow is national teddy bear day and national boss/employee exchange day (where you get the chance to see how the other side of business). Most things are outlandish like Jan 25—national opposite day. The goal of that day is to have fun all day long saying exactly the opposite of what you really mean. Basically you get a pass to lie— “how nice to see you” “have a good day” —that’s not what you mean. I don’t like these b/c I usually find out about them the next day and I will surely forget before next year.
I was thinking about opposites though. In many ways, this is the kingdom of God. It is upside-down and backward.
Jesus taught:
25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
39 “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
25 “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
These are backward.
12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
You have the list of beatitudes which describes the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom—in fact, the kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit.
Those who mourn are comforted, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be satisfied, the meek inherit the earth. Everything about God’s kingdom is counterintuitive to the way man thinks. God raises up the lesser in order to become the greater. This is not how we would design God’s kingdom if we were in charge.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.
We have many examples of this already in the book of Genesis where birth order has been reversed by God—and what He does is to display His glory among His creation.
God chose Abel over Cain
God chose Isaac, not Ishmael
God chose Jacob over Esau
God chose Joseph not Rueben (replacing Leah—the less loved wife, with Rachel)
Our verse today will once again show the backwardness of God’s kingdom in the reversal of Manasseh and Ephraim. These were the 2 sons of Joseph born to him by his wife Asenath during the 7 years of plenty before the famine.
Their names are explained in
51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
In these days, it was normal for the blessing and double inheritance to fall to the firstborn. But God does things differently and many times without explanation as in our vv today. This all begins with Jacob/Israel adopting Joseph’s sons as his own. I have 4 divisions of ch 48
1. The Blessing
1. The Blessing
1-4
Jacob is getting old. His death is approaching as he has been in Egypt now for 17 years. He is 147 years old and Moses tells us “it came about after…” (After Joseph promises to not bury Jacob in Egypt). It is at the end of his earthly life that Joseph is told “your father is sick.” That term simply refers to a general weakness and we can understand why. He is 147. Lifespans continue to decline since the flood and Jacob’s condition declines to the point where Joseph is made aware that he is truly on his deathbed. So Joseph takes his 2 sons along with him to visit his father. When Jacob learned that Joseph had come…he rallies his strength (lit strengthened himself) which required much more than just the physical stamina to do so. This act is highlighted in the Heb 11 heroes of the faith:
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
So musters the strength to sit up and to speak to Joseph about things that were very important and necessarily part of God’s plan. He didn’t speak of the difficulties of his life as he had to Pharaoh. What was on Jacob’s mind was all about God Almighty (vs 3). We’ve encountered this description of God before (17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14). El Shaddai is God’s name that was extremely precious to the patriarchs.
The etymology of the term “shaddai” is mostly uncertain. Some have said it is a reference to “power” and that God is revealing Himself as the one who is omnipotent. That is true.
11 Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God;
Spurgeon:
God’s power is like Himself, self-existent, self-sustained. The mightiest of men cannot add so much as a shadow of increased power to the Omnipotent One. He sits on no buttressed throne and leans on no assisting arm. His court is not maintained by His courtiers, nor does it borrow its splendor from His creatures. He is Himself the great central source and Originator of all power.
There is another suggestion of what shaddai (48x in OT; 31x in Job) means: “Self-Sufficient.” This means that God is all that He is in Himself. Nothing is added to His divine nature in all that He has created. We have a hard time with this especially in our modern culture. We have been trained by everything around us to have high opinions of ourselves and we tend to think about God along that line. We think we are necessary to God. But God is Shaddai, Self-sufficient and the truth is that God is not any greater b/c we exist and He would not be any less if we didn’t. The fact that we do exist only relates to God’s free determination to create.
Since He is All-sufficient, He is also the God of perfect supply and comfort for all who know Him. God sustains His people—that’s what El Shaddai means to us. Jacob says El Shaddai appeared to me at Luz (old name for Bethel). “And He blessed me.” This happened in Gen 35:9-15 when Jacob’s name was changed to Israel but the focus for Jacob at this point was God’s blessing and the promise spoken to him that God would make him fruitful… (vs 4). There was no doubt in Jacob’s mind that God was directly involved in giving the promises and also fulfilling them (I will, I will…). For Jacob, it is enough that God blessed him…and not just God—but the Almighty God, with whom nothing is too difficult.
Now, Jacob can’t see the fulfillment of all these things. He is not living (and will not die) in the land that was given to him and to his descendants. But the point of Heb is that Jacob would receive God’s blessing and pass on that blessing to his sons and grandsons.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
Jacob believed God. Just like his father Isaac. And just like His grandfather Abraham. He beleived God—reckoned as righteous—that is “justified” in the sight of God and
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
They trusted God. And for you this morning. Maybe you’re like Jacob…trying to stand on your last leg. Have you come to church dragging your heels? Are you weakened by a world that is hostile toward all those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus? Do you need some wind in your sails? Then hear God’s Word:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Not 1 blessing, not 1 spiritual reality has God withheld from you. You need redemption? You have it b/c of the blood of JC. You need to be justified. It’s yours by believing on the LJC. You need forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, glorification, deliverance, sanctification—these are all the many promises of God which Paul says are “yes in Jesus Christ.”
God blessed Jacob and He has blessed each of you who are in Christ.
2. The Adoption
2. The Adoption
5-12
Having spoken of God’s blessing, Jacob continues speaking to his favorite son—vs 5. 2 sons: Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in Egypt before Jacob moved the rest of the family here. Jacob says “they are mine.” Jacob explains what he means by this act: “as Reuben and Simeon are.” This lit reads “Like Reuben and Simeon they will be to me.” Just as Jacob’s sons who were numbers 1 & 2 were full recipients of the inheritance, so too will be Ephraim and Manasseh as they become legitimate sons of Jacob. They wouldn’t be merely grandsons but have a rightful inheritance b/c Jacob is formally adopting them as his own.
Now, this would not apply to other children Joseph would have but only his first 2. According to vs 6 “called by the names of their brothers” they would be incorporated into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. We don’t know what Jacob’s motivation is for adopting these 2. He has 51 other grandsons in Goshen but this act might be related to his own experience with Rachel. Vs 7 she died “to my sorrow.” Lit “Rachel died upon me/beside me” and his memory of that occasion (which happened at least 40 years ago) was still fresh. His favorite—most loved wife, died while giving birth to Benjamin. And since she was not able to bear more children than Joseph and Benjamin, and maybe as a way of honoring her memory, so Jacob adopts Ephraim and Manasseh.
Now, this adoption brings difficulty in understanding these 2 will relate to the other sons of Jacob and the later “tribes of Israel.” We are told in 1 Chron 5:1-2 that Reuben (1st born) will forfeit his birthright which is given to Joseph’s sons.
1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. 2 Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),
So Jacob has 13 children (1 daughter—Dinah). That’s 12 sons. But b/c he adopts these 2 he now has 14 sons. There are no fewer than 29 lists of the tribes of Israel in the Bible. 18 of those have the full representative number of 12. But the lists generally leave out 1 or other of Jacob’s sons. The list that is generally favored is the one in Ezekiel 48.
13 Thus says the Lord God, “This shall be the boundary by which you shall divide the land for an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall have two portions. 14 “You shall divide it for an inheritance, each one equally with the other; for I swore to give it to your forefathers, and this land shall fall to you as an inheritance.
The boundaries are then described and then 12 are listed in Ezekiel 48 (the ones who receive an allotment in the Millennial Kingdom). But the list excludes the Levites (the priests who had no inheritance—they lived in 44 cities scattered thruout Israel). And Joseph’s (who is also not included) portion (which is actually a double portion—b/c the birthright is given to him) is divided b/t his 2 sons Ephraim and Manasseh. So there are 12 allotments in the Millennial Kingdom but Levites don’t have a portion—the Lord is their portion, and Joseph’s is divided.
Now, this adoption process begins formally with the question in vs 8 “who are these.” We might compare this with a modern day marriage and the question that often begins the ceremony is “who gives this woman to be married to this man?” The ceremony is underway…and Joseph responds—vs 9.
Jacob is old, frail, going blind and asked for these boys to be brought near so he could bless them. Now you remember, Jacob took advantage of his father’s failing eyesight to steal the blessing from his brother Esau. And Joseph will not play any tricks here. Notice the affection that Jacob has for these 2: vs 10. (kissing and embracing are the 2 terms used when Jacob was reunited with his brother Esau in 33:4).
So this formality wraps up and Jacob tells his son: vv 11. Jacob had made a judgment (expected) about the future that he would never see Joseph again (for he concluded that he was dead). But to see his grandsons—this was God’s goodness to Jacob.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.
6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!
3. The Reversal
3. The Reversal
13-20
Normally, the birthright and blessing (the greater blessing) falls to the oldest. In this case it should have been Manasseh. Joseph brings his sons to his father and has Ephraim on his right and Manasseh on his left. From Jacob’s perspective Ephraim was on his left and Manasseh was on his right. This is exactly what Joseph intended. He knew that it was customary for the first born to be blessed with the right hand.
Then this happens: vs 14— “crossing his hands” so that the greater blessing would fall to the younger instead of the older. This was on purpose—Jacob had lost his sight but didn’t lose his insight. He knew exactly what he was doing. It is another example of the oldest being passed over. Now, how did Jacob/Israel know to cross his hands? Many have suggested he was guided by supernatural impulse.
The blessing (on Joseph—which actually stands for his sons) is a beautiful blessing including several elements:
Devotion…the devotion of his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham is noted in that they walked before God. God told Abraham:
1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.
This emphasizes living a faithful lifestyle and the enabling presence and provision of the Lord. This is no different than today. Are you walking before the Lord God, blameless as to your lifestyle? That doesn’t mean perfect (for we all sin) but to live in manner before the world of unbelievers that there would be no cause for blame (without reproach).
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Protection
Jacob acknowledges that God has been his shepherd—which brings to mind all the activities of a shepherd including feeding, pasturing, nourishing, protecting, guarding and leading.
Deliverance
In moments of danger and turmoil, the “angel” (or an angel) appears in order to minister to God’s people. Jacob was the recipient of that ministry—even the Angel of the Lord who wrestled with him. Jacob’s own perception is that God’s angel delivered (or redeemed) him from all evil. Today believers are guarded against the evil one on account of Jesus’ prayer:
15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Eternal security of the Xn.
In his blessing Jacob is sure to express his adopted sons’ new identity (called by my name) and that they would have fruitfulness in the land.
Joseph saw what his father was doing (crossing his arms) and in his mind he was making a mistake. Moses tells us “it displeased” Joseph. This is the only time we are told that Joseph was displeased with anyone. From his perspective—lit. “it was evil in his eyes.” He tried to move his father’s hand—switching hands on his sons but Jacob “refused” (vs 19). Jacob knew what he was doing (and perhaps even guided by the Lord) saying the Manasseh will be great but his younger brother will be greater becoming a multitude of nations. This is another example of God’s kingdom being upside down. The younger will be greater.
The blessing is pronounced and cannot be withdrawn. And the result is of such great significance that it would become a blessing formula.
The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18–50 4. Jacob Rejects Joseph’s Corrective (48:17–22)
Whenever anyone living in Israel (i.e., the nation) wishes to bless someone and make them fruitful, one is to use the formula: May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.
Genesis—Beginning and Blessing Reversal
In Egypt and at the exodus, Ephraim and Manasseh were great tribes indeed. At one time the name Ephraim was used as a synonym for the kingdom of Israel.7 However, in the long run both tribes would apostatize, and the tribe of Judah would take on the mantle and ascendancy. Psalm 78 describes their tragic demise (cf. 2 Kings 17).
4. The Gift
4. The Gift
21-22
What would become of Joseph? The promised blessing of God’s presence is restated. The promise of land is restated. In addition to God bringing Joseph back to the land (would only happen in death and at his burial as his bones are carried away by Israelites in the Exodus and buried right after Joshua’s death in Shechem).
Then Jacob essentially replaces Reuben with Joseph in vs 22. “double portion” which was the birthright is taken from the firstborn and given to Joseph. Now, we don’t know and Scripture is silent on Jacob taking anything from the Amorites. I have no reason to doubt Jacob’s assertion we just don’t know the details of it. The bottom line, Joseph is given a double portion of the inheritance which will be passed on to his sons. This is why Joseph himself does not receive an allotment in the description of Ezekiel 48 but each of his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh do. Reuben on the other hand only receives 1 portion on account of his defiling his father’s bed earlier on.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
They trusted God b/c of the supremacy and greatness of His character. God made a promise, it hadn’t been fulfilled in their lifetimes but God was in control of all the vicissitudes of life and because of His goodness, they acted by faith.
We know God is the same unchanging God who is orchestrating His perfect will in His people. We often act with uncertainty, with doubts and perhaps even despair when we don’t understand why God is taking us thru the circumstances we’re in. But we’re called upon to believe God. To reach out by faith and lay hold of the promise—the prize of that upward call of God.