Summary of Genesis 48:1-14:
Joseph took his two sons to see Jacob when it was reported that he was ill. Jacob repeated to Joseph the covenant promise God had made him. Jacob adopts Joseph’s two sons as his own, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob asks to bless them, but his eyesight is failing so Joseph places the older one, Manasseh, on right and the younger one, Ephraim, on his left. Jacob switches his hands to bless the younger one over the older one like Isaac and Jacob were chosen. Joseph’s family received a double share since he was adopting both boys.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 4: Genesis 48:1-14
10) Jacob adopts both of Joseph’s boys as his own so that they will receive a share in the Promised Land. He blesses them all.
11a) Isaac and Jacob were chosen over their brothers. Seth, Shem, and Joseph’s now double blessing over Reuben
b) God can do what He wants, and we can’t understand His reasons.
12) I am facing none now, or at least I don’t feel hopeless cause I think nothing is hopeless. But there have been many times there I faced hopelessness and God brought me through, like in our moves.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 4: Genesis 48:1-14
I love how the patriarchs of the family are honored; their blessings are sought; it matters what they think, say, and do. Too many of us dismiss the elderly as not having much of value to say.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 4: Genesis 48:1-14
Luz is another name for Bethel (Genesis 28:19, 35:6), which is where Jacob saw God.
We read the exact words of the covenant passed down verbally from generation to generation. It is presumed that Jacob and most of God’s people couldn’t read nor was there much to read. Joseph most likely could since he was in the house of Pharaoh.
There is still 12 tribes of Israel, but there are 13 sons now with this adoption, as Joseph was now divided into two tribes. They are listed over 20 different ways in the Bible
The Number 12 in the Bible
12 is often associated with government or administration in God’s eyes.
There are
- 12 tribes;
- 12 apostles;
- 12 princes of Ishmael;
- 12 pillars on Moses’ altar;
- 12 stones on the high priest’s breastplate;
- 12 cakes of showbread;
- 12 silver platters; silver bowls; and gold pans for the service of the tabernacle;
- 12 spies to search out the land;
- 12 memorial stones;
- 12 governors under Solomon;
- 12 stones in Elijah’s altar;
- 12 in each group of musicians and singers for Israel’s worship;
- 12 hours in a day;
- 12 months in a year;
- 12 Ephesian men filled with the Holy Spirit;
- 12,000 from 12 tribes sealed and preserved through the tribulation;
- 12 gates of 12 pearls in heaven, and 12 angels at the gates;
- 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem, each with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb; it’s length, breadth, and height are all 12,000 furlongs;
- the tree of life in heaven has 12 fruits.
Jacob still remembers his beloved Rachel.
Manasseh means forgetfulness and Ephraim means fruitfulness (Genesis 41:51-52).
Note how Joseph bows down to Jacob even though he only bows to Pharaoh.
We know that the right hand in the Bible is the favored hand. It is usually most people’s stronger hand and Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven (Mark 14:62). We also see the right hand representing God’s strength and favor (Exodus 15:6),(Psalm 16:11)