Genesis 48:8-19 – God’s blessing has no regard for age or position

Jacob’s eyes were dim and he was not able to see as clearly. When he saw Ephraim and Manasseh, he asked, “Who are these?” Joseph quickly introduced them saying, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So Jacob asked that they be brought closer to him so he could bless them. The grandfather than embraced the grandsons and kissed them signifying that they were formally adopted by him. Jacob never expected to see this day. For many years, he lived with the thought that Joseph was dead and he didn’t think that he would ever see him again. But things had changed so amazingly now, he not only saw Joseph but also his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.  So in joy and awe, he marveled. After that Joseph removed his sons from Jacob’s knees and the patriarch bowed with his face to the ground, to finalize the adoption. 

In verse 14, we see Joseph took his sons close to his father. Ephraim was on his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right. He positioned his sons this way so that it would be easy for Israel to lay his left hand on Ephraim and right hand on Manasseh. Joseph wanted Israel to lay his right hand on Manasseh who was his firstborn, since right hand was a symbol of power. But Israel apparently crossed his hand and laid his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh and declared his blessing. So in verses 15-16, Jacob called on God who had walked, shepherded and redeemed him throughout his journey, to bless Ephraim and Manasseh. His pronouncement was for them too to continue his line and grow in number. So Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob’s new sons were mightily blessed.

By right, Manasseh should have been blessed with Jacob’s right hand since he was the eldest son. But Jacob apparently deliberately crossed his hand and placed his right hand on Ephraim instead of Manasseh. He insisted on this arrangement despite Joseph’s protest. Joseph tried unsuccessfully to get Jacob to place his right hand on Manasseh. Jacob assured Joseph that he knew what he was doing. Why did Jacob cross his hand and bless Ephraim with his right hand instead? Was it because his sight was dim and he could not recognize the eldest from the youngest? Was it because he was recalling the fact that though he was younger than Esau, he was given the first born blessing by his father Isaac? Was he setting off a tradition?

We do not know the answer but one thing is sure from this incidence. The blessings of God are irreversible and they have no regard for a person’s age, status or position. Remember ultimately, God makes the choice. It is God’s sovereign right and He will bless whoever He chooses to bless. The only pre-requisite to His blessing is our allegiance and obedience to Him. To be recipients of God’s blessing, we must stay connected, be faithful and obedient to His word. Jesus’ promise to us in John 14:23 is this: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” What better blessing can we have than this?!