Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons

Genesis 48:1-22

Jacob asks Joseph to bring his grandsons for a visit.  He wanted to bless them as sons and rightful heirs to inherit the promises of God.

God intended for a good life to be imparted to children through the spoken blessing.  The Patriarchs expected their blessings to be fulfilled in the lives of their children.  Orthodox Judaism continues to preserve the tradition of powerful and formal family blessings.

Jacob knew he was dying, and wanted not to pass before blessing Joseph’s sons.  He understood the power of the father’s blessing as he had deceived his father Isaac to usurp his older brother’s right to the blessing of inheritance.  He knew the blessings of his grandfather Abraham had set the course of history for the Hebrew children and the nation of Israel.  They were to inherit and occupy the land of Canaan on the other side of the Jordan River, promised to them by God. 

As Joseph guided his sons to Jacob’s outstretched hand, he knew the protocol.  The right hand held the blessing.  Joseph named his first born son Manasseh, (God has made me to forget all my troubles.)  To his second son he gave the name Ephraim, (God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.)  Naming conventions focus on intent and meaning, on relationship to a source code.  The naming of children requires prayerful consideration.

In spite of Joseph’s commandeering shuffle to protect the right of the firstborn, Jacob understood the interpretation of the names of his grandsons.  Perhaps he chose to invest the blessing of promise in the son who was born when Joseph’s heart was in a better and stronger place.  

We may use the word blessing casually, while seriously we long for the inheritance of peace and God’s favor to be spoken over us and over our children.

Be blessed of the Lord!