A Grandfather’s Blessing
Joseph and Asenath have two sons. The oldest is Manasseh, and the younger is Ephraim. They are the grandsons of Jacob, later called Israel.
When Israel is on his deathbed, Joseph comes to see his ailing father, bringing his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, with him. Hearing about Joseph’s arrival, Israel rallies and sits up in bed.
He makes a curious statement to his son. Israel elevates his two grandsons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and mentions them along with his own sons.
In this way, Israel grants these two boys the same status as their uncles. All will receive their inheritance through Israel. This, in effect, gives Joseph’s descendants a double portion, something due to the firstborn son.
Though Joseph is not Israel’s firstborn, he is Rachel’s. Since the now-deceased Rachel was Israel’s favorite wife, we can understand him seeking to give Joseph a double portion through his boys.
Israel first blesses Joseph. Next, he blesses Manasseh and Ephraim. Israel, however, blesses Ephraim as the older son and Manasseh as the younger.
When Joseph tries to correct his father’s error, Israel confirms it is not a mistake. He declares that the younger Ephraim will be greater than the older Manasseh.
Yet we don’t see much in Scripture to indicate that Ephraim does in fact become greater than Manasseh.
Four centuries later, when Israel’s numerous descendants leave Egypt, Moses notes that Ephraim’s tribe numbers 40,500, with Manasseh’s tribe about 20 percent less at 32,200.
Yet forty years later when they leave the desert, things are the opposite. Manasseh’s descendants have increased to 52,700, while the number of Ephraim’s descendants have shrunk to 32,500.
We should keep in mind that during these forty years in the desert, all who entered it died there (except for Joshua and Caleb). It is their offspring that the second census counts.
Therefore, Manasseh’s tribe flourished in the desert and Ephraim’s did not.
When they reach the promised land, Manasseh’s descendants divide into two groups, with half receiving an inheritance east of the Jordan and the rest, west of the Jordan. Each group becomes a half tribe of Manasseh.
If anything, it seems that Manasseh becomes greater than Ephraim, despite Israel’s blessing.
Do we let our birth order define us?
When someone proclaims a blessing over us, how much confidence do we place in their words?
[Read about Manasseh and Ephraim in Genesis 48:1–20. Discover more in Numbers 1:32–35 and Numbers 26:34–37.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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