There’s More 

Genesis 48 

Joseph, lesson 37 

Jacob said to Joseph, 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. 48.5 

He (Jacob) blessed Joseph, and said, ‘The God before whom my father’s Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, (Ephraim and Manasseh); And may my name live on in them, and the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. 48.15,16 

By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. Hebrews 11.21 

I’m starting to sense that if I don’t move on from the story of Joseph and Jacob soon, I’m going to start losing followers, lol. Last post I started with ‘I got nothing in Genesis 48.’ Now I’m giving my readers ANOTHER post from Genesis 48. I have persevered through this chapter several times and each time, I see more good stuff. 

First, the complete transformation of Jacob. Secondly, the adoption of Joseph’s mixed-breed sons into the Covenant promises. 

Jacob, aka Israel 

Jacob lived a very trying and difficult life. He could’ve given up on God’s Covenant promises long ago. He could’ve felt like Naomi in the book of Ruth who said, Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara (meaning bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty…the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me. Jacob could’ve said the same thing. And maybe he did…. for a while. But now we see his transformation: 

• Jacob acknowledges that God has been his shepherd all of his life. Even in all the pain of his life, God remained close as the protector and sustain-er of his life. 
• Jacob wrestled with the angel of God (Jesus) and he was redeemed from ALL evil. Jacob was the destined leader of Israel but I don’t believe he was saved, redeemed and born again until that night when he contended with Jesus. 

There is no apparent reason that God should love and care for Jacob like He did. 

But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend…I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41.8-10 

These words are spoken to Jacob; these words are spoken to the nation of Israel; these words are spoken to those of us chosen under the New Covenant. There is no apparent reason that God should love and care for Jacob like He did. There is no apparent reason that God should love and care for me as He does. But He does! 

Joseph’s Son 

Question: If Jacob had only eleven sons, how did the sons of Jacob become twelve patriarchs? Answer: Joseph wasn’t formally considered a patriarch. Instead, his two sons born of an Egyptian woman, Ephraim and Manasseh, were adopted by Jacob and blessed by him to become patriarchs. 

Throughout the Old Testament, as God is building the nation of Israel, He grafts in certain Gentiles and half–breeds into His Master Plan to build the nation of Israel into a great nation. Examples are Tamar, Judah’s wife; Rahab the harlot and Ruth the Moabite. These three foreigners were named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Now he brings in the Egyptian/Jewish mixed-breed sons of Joseph into the Covenant promise and blessing. 

The Old Testament shows us the mercy of God to redeem, save and greatly bless many non-Jews. Question: Who are the foreign-born, mixed-blood orphans who are blessed to be brought into the New Covenant of Jesus? Answer: That would be us! 

We are from a cursed race of sinners; born in sin and born to sin. Now, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. 

For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. I Peter 2:10 

Father, lover of Your people, today we consider Your heart to choose, to save, to keep and to nurture those of us whom You love. I am blessed that You have adopted me into Your forever family and blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For from Him and though him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.