Study From the Book of Genesis,48

Today we study chapter 48 of the Book of Genesis. There are two biblical principles and their lessons which I believe they are useful in biblical counselling.

Joseph knew the end of Jacob’s life was approaching, but the news came that he was sick. Joseph went to see his father accompanied by his two son the older Manasseh and the younger Ephriam. However, this chapter continues a theme in Genesis of two competing sons. For Cain and Abel , for Jacob and Esau Now for Manasseh and Ephriam. Often the younger supplants the older. God works in ways different from the ordinary and expected course of events.

Jacob again recalls God Almighty, El Shaddai. This is the seventh time in Genesis called this name of God. Jacob reversed their birth order. He also said that they were as much as his sons Reuben and Simeon, his first and second sons. But because of the outrageous act of Reuben and Simon, both of them had fallen from favour. Levi was also implicated in the outrage of Simeon. Therefore, the rights and the privileges of the firstborn sons were passed down to the other two sons, Judah and Joseph. Reuben as the first born could have received a double portion of his father’s inheritance. But Jacob gave the double share to Joseph. Joseph’s two sons are then counted with their uncles as founders of the tribes of Israel.

In Jacob’s blessing to Joseph’s sons, he reaffirmed his great faith in the living God. Despite the self-serving acts of his youth, Jacob’s faith had matured. Jacob used the definite article with the word God to emphasize “the Genuine Deity.” He identified God as the One whom Abrahm and Isaac served.

Structure:

Verses 1- 22: Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons.

Principle 77 verse 48:11:” ---And Israel said to Joseph, ‘I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!’.”

Lesson 77: God often blesses us in ways far beyond anything we can imagine. We hope for “A,” and He gives us the whole alphabet!

Principle 78: verse 48:15: “---And he blessed Joseph, and said ‘God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who had fed me all my life long to this day’.”

Lesson 78: When Israel called God, “the God who has fed me all my life long to this day,” he proclaimed that every good thing we have comes from the hand and grace of God. 16/8/2026.