MANASSEH AND EPHRAIM

BOOK OF GENESIS

CHAPTER 48

            Great to have you back again at Daily Bread.  Today we’re going to start off with a Daily Bread Stick.  Traditionally in Bible times, the oldest born son inherits the birthright and the blessing of his father.  Now, that doesn’t mean that the rest of the children are out of luck but the position as the head of the family and the majority of the wealth, whether it be flocks or herds or family business or money, went to the eldest son.  The eldest son also acquired the best of the blessings which was like a prophetic prayer for God to shower the receiver with an abundant life.

            Now, Joseph heard that Israel was sick, so he took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim with him to see his father.  When Israel heard that Joseph was coming to see him, he gathered up enough strength to sit up.

            He told Joseph that God appeared to him and blessed him in Bethel, and that He would make him a multitude of people and give the land of Canaan to his descendants for an everlasting possession.

            Then Israel said, Your two sons are mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.  Any children that you have after them will be yours.

            Israel’s could not see because of his old age and he asked Joseph, Who is with you?  And Joseph answered, They are my sons.  Israel told Joseph to bring them near so that he could bless them.  He hugged and kissed them and said to Joseph, I thought I’d never see your face again, and look, God has shown me your children too.  Joseph bowed down in front of Israel, then took his sons and set Manasseh near Israel’s right hand and Ephraim near his left hand. 

            But Israel reached over and purposely put his right hand on the younger son Ephraim’s head, and his left hand on the firstborn Manasseh’s head.  And he blessed Joseph, and said God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

            When Joseph noticed that Israel’s right hand was on Ephraim’s head, it upset him and he held up Israel’s hand to move it to Manasseh’s head.  Joseph said, Not so, my father, this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.  But Israel refused and said, I know it, my son, I know it.  He will also become a people and he’ll be great, but truly, his younger brother will be greater than him and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.

            Then Israel set Ephraim in front of Manasseh and said to Joseph, God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.  He was telling him that even though he was younger than all but Benjamin, he would be before them.

            And Israel said to Joseph, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you to the land of your fathers again.  Also, I have given you one share more than your brothers.   

            And now here’s a little Daily Bread Crumb to finish with.  Notice that Isaac was younger than Ishmael, and Jacob was younger than Esau.  Both the younger sons received the birthright.  Now Israel has chosen to give the firstborn’s blessing to the Ephraim instead of Manasseh, and to Joseph instead of Reuben.  Just an interesting little fact to think about.  Jesus said, There are last which shall be first, Luke 13:30.

            Join us next time as Israel blesses each of his twelve sons.  Will there be surprises ahead for them?  Come back and see in your Daily Bread.

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