Hebrews 11:21-22

Hebrews 11:21–22 ESV

21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

It is well documented in Genesis that Joseph was the favorite child. Jacob gave him gifts the other children never received and the brothers hated Joseph because of it. Joseph had two different prophetic dreams that he told his family about and the animosity grew. Most of his brothers wanted to kill Joseph but sold him into slavery for about $200. They tricked their father into thinking he was dead. Joseph was around 17 years old. For the next 13 years, Joseph would be a slave and a prisoner in Egypt. However, God never left him alone. His character and his conversation reflected that truth. At the age of 30, he became Pharaoh’s number one guy and served in that role for the rest of his life.

We pick up the story in Joseph’s mid-50’s. He’s been a political leader for almost 30 years. He met his wife in Egypt. His children were born in Egypt. The only place his family lived was in Egypt and I suspect they loved their home. His extended move closer when Joseph when Joseph was 39. I wonder how often he thought about his current identity and his past life. We see that Jacob’s faith helped preserve Abraham’s family tree.

Jacob preserved Joseph’s connection to God’s people rather than his Egyptian identity.

Genesis 47:29–48:4 ESV

29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed. 1 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. 3 And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 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.’

By this time, the entire family had been settled in Goshen for almost 20 years. Jacob could have had this conversation with any of the brothers, but preserving Joseph’s connection to God’s people was important. Joseph, I insist that you take me back to the land of my fathers and bury me with them. Be the leader of our family. Make sure I am not buried in Egypt. Be faithful where God has placed you now, but continue looking forward to what God will do in the future.

Joseph, you have loved most of your life in Egypt. Do you remember when I told you about my dream about the ladder from heaven with angels on it? Do you remember when I told you about my wrestling match with God? My hobble reminds me of it every day. Do you remember when I told you about my decisions to get rid of my idols in Bethel? That was the moment the Lord pulled me in and reminded me of the promise. Joseph, you are part of an important promise. You’re an important part of what God is doing with his people. Joseph, you have an important role in the future. Do you believe that?

Through this conversation, Jacob designated the birthright to Joseph instead of Reuben.

Jot down 1 Chronicles 5:1–2 - “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; though Judah became strong among his brothers and a chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph)

Jacob delivered the birthright to Joseph by blessing Ephraim and Manasseh

Genesis 48:5–20 ESV

5 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. 6 And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. 7 As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” 8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” 9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” 12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 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). 15 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, 16 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.” 17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since 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 also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’ ” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

We learned from a few weeks ago, the birthright gave a double-portion of inheritance. Jacob prophetically blessed Ephraim and Manasseh. The text tells us that Manasseh was older and Ephraim was younger. This is a good place to remind us that God doesn’t always follow the assumed human order of events. He follows his plan for his glory. If there is something in your life that isn’t going how to think it should be going, I encourage you to seek out the Lord’s plan. Seek out his glory in the situation.

Put up the picture…

Jacob reassured Joseph of God’s presence and reaffirmed God’s promise

Genesis 48:21–22 ESV

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

I think all of us need the reminders of verse 21 at different times in life. God will be with you. God is in the middle of fulfilling his promises. God will do what he said he will do. God is trustworthy.

Joseph delivered an unseen promise to future generations.

Genesis 50:22–26 ESV

22 So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. 23 And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

One of the commentaries I read this week said that people always tell the truth on their death bed. Little things that once were a big deal are overlooked and only what is important is prioritized. I have been bedside when a person has passed into eternity and that is fairly accurate. The final recorded words of Joseph were close to the final words of Jacob. God will be with you. God is in the middle of doing this thing in your life. Even though it might seem you are alone, you are not. God will do what he said he will do. You can trust that.

When something is repeated in Scripture, I believe we are supposed to pay careful attention to what is says. It’s a reminder for biblical wisdom to prevail in our lives.

For you, you might need reassurance ~ God is with you and he’s doing a thing in your life.

For you, you might need reminded ~ God is trustworthy and will always do what he says he will do.

For you, you might need realignment ~ When life is difficult, your conversation and character does not reflect biblical wisdom.