Online Sermons
Lesson #12 - Jacob's Last Days
Series: The Life of Joseph - A Tapestry of God's ProvidenceLESSON #12
Jacob’s Last Days
1. How did Joseph’s sons become Jacob’s sons? / Genesis 48
Joseph’s wife, Asenath, bore him two sons - - Manasseh and Ephraim. – cf. Gen.41:50
~ Manasseh means, God made me forget my troubles … Ephraim means, God has made me fruitful in the land of affliction.
As Jacob’s (aka Israel) final days drew near, Joseph and his sons visited. – vss.1-2
~ Jacob was reflecting on the promise made to him by God in Bethel (aka Luz). – vss.3-4 with Gen.28:13ff & 35:9ff
Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give you this land…
Jacob claims (adopts) Manasseh and Ephraim as his own sons. – vs.5
~ The twelve tribes (sons) of Israel now become thirteen - - Joseph’s place is taken by his two sons.
Jacob’s love for Rachel was on his mind right up to the end of his life. – vs.7
2. What was Jacob’s final request?
To be buried in Canaan (not Egypt) – cf. Gen.47:30
~ “Their place” equals “the cave of Machpelah” - - the burial place of his grandfather Abraham and father Isaac.
cf. Gen.23:17-20; 25:9-10; 35:29 with Gen.49:29-32 and 50:5
~ To insure this “request”, Jacob made Joseph take an oath (with his hand under his father’s thigh). – Gen.47:29
3. Discuss Jacob’s blessings given to Manasseh and Ephraim.
Accompanying Joseph in “visiting” with his soon-to-pass father are his two sons. – vs.8
It comes time for Jacob to “bless” Manasseh and Ephraim. – vs.9
~ At this stage of Jacob’s life his “eyes were dim” . – vs.10
~ He places Ephraim under his right hand and Manasseh under his left. – vs.13
~ Joseph attempts to intervene - - the “right” hand belonged to “his firstborn, Manasseh. – vss.17-18
~ However, Jacob refuses Joseph’s “correction”, putting Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. – vss.19-20
One can correctly conclude that Jacob’s right-handed blessing of one other than the firstborn was God-ordained.
Ephraim supercedes Manasseh - - His younger brother shall be greater than he – vs.19 cf. 1Kgs.12: 25
God often turns conventional wisdom upon its head.
~ Abel before Cain … Isaac before Ishmael … Jacob before Esau … Moses before Aaron … David before his brothers.
~ cf. Rom.9:11-16 / Because God is GOD, He can choose to be arbitrary in His plans, purposes and promises.
~ It’s called GRACE & MERCY - - unmerited and undeserved favor!
4. What assurance does Jacob give to Joseph?
God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers. – vs.21
Joseph’s portion in the promised land is doubled by means of an inheritance to his two sons.
Next week’s assignment - Read Genesis 49 regarding Israel’s prophecies concerning his sons.
