ANOTHER BLESSING TURN-ABOUT

Jacob/Israel lived in Egypt for seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven.  When the time drew near for him to die, he called his son Joseph and said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness.  Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried."  And Joseph agreed, "I will do as you say."  But Israel did not trust him and asked Joseph to swear to him, and Joseph swore he would return his father to his fathers.


Some time later, Joseph was called once again to his father's side.  Taking his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim with him, Joseph assumed it was time to have Jacob/Israel give his sons his blessing.  Now Israel's eyes were failing in his old age, so Joseph brought his sons close to him and his father kissed them and embraced them.  Joseph took both sons and specifically placed them, readying them  for his father's blessings with Ephraim on Israel's right and Manasseh on his left toward Israel's  right hand and brought them close to his father.  But, Israel  reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, the younger son, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head even though Manasseh was the firstborn.  Then he blessed Joseph, first.  Joseph tried to take his father's hand and move it to Manasseh's head, but his father said, "No, my son.  I know.  He too will become a people, and he too will become great.  Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations."  So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.


Then  Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die,, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers.  And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."


Of course, Joseph eventually did return to his homeland, but once again, the blessings of the sons had been reversed from what the father had hoped.  God does have his way with us, and we are more at peace because of it. How interesting it is that what happens in one generation may be repeated  in another,  both things of good, and others of not-so-good.  I suppose this story might be telling us to be satisfied with what things are endowed to us, whether it is our plan or God's.  They may not be  the same, but be at peace and let God have His way.


Peace be to you,


Jo INMN