Genesis 48 is a profoundly moving chapter because it contains Jacob’s reflections on his own life. He calls Joseph to bring his sons Manasseh and Ephraim so he can bless them and when he does this, he gives priority to the younger Ephraim. Joseph is concerned about this and points out his father’s apparent mistake. But Jacob declares that this is deliberate. He is of course conscious of the fact that he, the youngest, got the blessing of the eldest. He got what he did not deserve. In other words, he experienced grace. This experience is expressed beautifully in the words of the blessing as he summarises his life experience with God. He testifies to the way God shepherded him and the blessing from the ‘angel’ with whom he wrestled. He passes all this on to Joseph’s sons whom he effectively adopts as his own sons. But he gives priority to the younger, even though this was against the custom of the time. We also have received the blessing of God’s ‘firstborn’ Son, Jesus. Like Jacob we got what we didn’t deserve. It seems very much like a mistake, but it isn’t. God loves to show favour to those who don’t deserve it. God wants to give you what you don’t deserve and probably already has to a great extent. Let that give you confidence when you pray and make you thankful always.
Receive the blessing of verses 15 and 16 for yourself.
Read Genesis 48
