It is a touching scene when Jacob says farewell to Joseph and blesses Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph didn’t really need an inheritance from his father (although Jacob did leave him land – a mountain slope he had taken by force from the Amorites) but Jacob chose to adopt two of Joseph’s sons, effectively giving Joseph, his favorite son, a double inheritance.
The blessing he pronounces on them is beautiful. “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” It first focuses on the one who is called upon to bless – not Jacob, but God himself. He is the God of Abraham and Isaac, the one who has led, protected and redeemed Jacob throughout his life. That word translated “redeemed” in the ESV is translated “delivered” in the NIV. It is a word used of a savior, and that is the heart of God’s relationship with Israel/Jacob – God is his savior. Jacob asks his savior God very simply to, “bless the boys,” and then asks for the family names to be carried on through them as they grow to become great nations.
I think we should say things like this to our children and grandchildren more often. Perhaps we need not use such formal language, but it is good and right to speak words of blessing upon our children, pointing them back not just to a god, but to the God who saves. One of the things that I have done (and don’t do perfectly, these things seem to come in waves for me) is before I head out for work in the morning, I kiss my children on the forehead and say, “I love you. God bless you today.” How hard is that? I suppose when your kids are older that could become awkward, but maybe it’s okay to have an awkward moment if the purpose behind it is to show your love for your child by calling upon God your Savior to bless them. What do you think?
It is our duty and privilege as parents to speak God’s Word to our children. That’s why we baptize them, teach them and bless them. We want them to know the Savior and walk with Him in faith.
The other thing that grabbed my attention was that Jacob chose to bless to Ephraim with his right hand and Manasseh with his left. The right hand was the primary hand for blessing, and that primary blessing was usually given to the firstborn (Manasseh in this case). Jacob had run into this in his own life and you may recall that he tricked his father into blessing him over his older brother Esau.
It struck me that God has done much the same with us. Jesus is his firstborn, his only begotten Son, but he has blessed us over him; even blessed us through him. In Jesus humbling himself to bear our sins we receive the rich blessings of forgiveness, righteousness, holiness, and salvation. Because our older brother suffered the Father’s wrath, we know God’s love. That is an amazing blessing indeed!
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:1-3) Help us, as you have blessed us, to bless our children and be a blessing in our world for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The blessing he pronounces on them is beautiful. “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” It first focuses on the one who is called upon to bless – not Jacob, but God himself. He is the God of Abraham and Isaac, the one who has led, protected and redeemed Jacob throughout his life. That word translated “redeemed” in the ESV is translated “delivered” in the NIV. It is a word used of a savior, and that is the heart of God’s relationship with Israel/Jacob – God is his savior. Jacob asks his savior God very simply to, “bless the boys,” and then asks for the family names to be carried on through them as they grow to become great nations.
I think we should say things like this to our children and grandchildren more often. Perhaps we need not use such formal language, but it is good and right to speak words of blessing upon our children, pointing them back not just to a god, but to the God who saves. One of the things that I have done (and don’t do perfectly, these things seem to come in waves for me) is before I head out for work in the morning, I kiss my children on the forehead and say, “I love you. God bless you today.” How hard is that? I suppose when your kids are older that could become awkward, but maybe it’s okay to have an awkward moment if the purpose behind it is to show your love for your child by calling upon God your Savior to bless them. What do you think?
It is our duty and privilege as parents to speak God’s Word to our children. That’s why we baptize them, teach them and bless them. We want them to know the Savior and walk with Him in faith.
The other thing that grabbed my attention was that Jacob chose to bless to Ephraim with his right hand and Manasseh with his left. The right hand was the primary hand for blessing, and that primary blessing was usually given to the firstborn (Manasseh in this case). Jacob had run into this in his own life and you may recall that he tricked his father into blessing him over his older brother Esau.
It struck me that God has done much the same with us. Jesus is his firstborn, his only begotten Son, but he has blessed us over him; even blessed us through him. In Jesus humbling himself to bear our sins we receive the rich blessings of forgiveness, righteousness, holiness, and salvation. Because our older brother suffered the Father’s wrath, we know God’s love. That is an amazing blessing indeed!
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:1-3) Help us, as you have blessed us, to bless our children and be a blessing in our world for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Comments