Genesis 48
“So he (Jacob) blessed them that day with these words: Israel will invoke blessings by you saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh,’ putting Ephraim before Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘Look! I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. Over and above what I am giving your brothers, I am giving you the one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and bow.’” Genesis 48:20-22
This blessing is very important for several reasons.
First of all, it is an adoption, or more precisely, a declaration that Joseph’s 2 sons (born to him in Egypt by an Egyptian bride) are legitimate descendants of Israel. This is a foreshadowing that all spiritual offspring between Jesus and His Church will be considered spiritual “Israel”. Jew or Gentile believers, it makes no difference. We have all received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry out, “Abba Father!” (Romans 8:15) That is, all of us who believe by faith that Jesus is Messiah.
Secondly, to this day, every pious Jewish father on Sabbath eve places his hands on the head of his son, and blesses him with the words: “God make thee as Ephraim and Manasseh.” Ephraim and Manasseh would not barter-away their Jewish identity for social or political power in Egypt.
These twins voluntarily gave up their place in Egyptian aristocracy, and openly identified themselves with their “alien” kinsmen who were despised for being shepherds. In a similar way, when we have truly received spiritual adoption, we should no longer desire worldly privilege over the eternal honor of being co-inheritors with Messiah. While “in the World”, they chose to not be “of it”.
Finally, at the end of this chapter, there is a reference to a plot of ground purchased by Jacob in Genesis 33. It seems this plot of land had (at one time) fallen into the hands of the Amorites, and had to be retaken by force. This military exploit is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. The statement can also be taken as a reference to how Israel will have to retake and maintain Canaan by force. The taking and holding of Canaan is ultimately determined by the power and will of God, because of His promise alone, not Israel’s righteousness.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins