The God of Israel [Genesis 48]

  1Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, "Behold, your father is sick." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him.

 2When it was told to Jacob, "Behold, your son Joseph has come to you," Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.

 3Then Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,

 4and He said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.'

 5"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.


 

Even though Joseph was the 12th brother and should have had one of the 12 tribes of Israel named after him, Jacob instead adopted Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph's sons to represent the 12th tribe of Israel. So from now on, when you read about the twelve tribes, all of the sons of Jacob are named except for Joseph and instead you will see there will be the half tribe of Manasseh and the half tribe of Ephraim.


As I read through the chapter, I also saw some of how Jacob or Israel viewed God at the end of his 140+ years.


God

God Almighty

Source of blessings

Giver of children

Shepherd

God of Abraham and Isaac

Redeemer

One who is with him

Giver of land


We praise You, God that You are all of these things and so much more. Cause us to continue to discover the truth about who You are and to walk in the light of that truth.

 

 

Beth Warlick, 1/13/2010