LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB #64 : JOSEPH #3
written by: Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3565
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB #64
JACOB'S FAVOURITE SON: JOSEPH #3
Throughout his life, Jacob was double-minded about the blessings of God.
But today we shall study how on his deathbed, he has been finally transformed into a man of God.
From young, he lived up to his name of supplanter. Whether deceiving his father (Gen. 27), using his own wits to appease Esau (32:1–21), worrying more about his reputation than his daughter’s safety (chap. 34), or ignoring the fraternal hatred incited by his favoring of Joseph (chap. 37), Jacob has not been the paragon of piety.
Yet God has been so gracious towards him that we can see a turnaround in his character when it comes to blessing his grandsons - the sons of his favorite Joseph.
“Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn)” (Gen. 48:14).
- Genesis 48:12–14
This time in blessing the younger grandson Ephraim, he is not acting out of self-interest or favoritism.
Joseph had placed his firstborn Manasseh on Jacob’s right side (vv. 12–13), the place of honor (Ps. 110:1; Acts 5:31), since the firstborn son normally got a better blessing. The younger Ephraim would ordinarily get a lesser share of this favor, and so he is brought to his grandfather’s left side (Gen. 48:13).
With two young men before him, Jacob sits in the seat of his father Isaac, who has tricked into blessing Jacob the younger son (chap. 27). Only this time it is Jacob's favor that is being sought.
Jacob does not convey the blessing dishonestly or in secret as he might have if he were still a trickster.
Jacob knowingly delivers a better portion to the younger Ephraim, crossing his arms before everyone present to place his right hand on Ephraim and his left hand on Manasseh (48:14).
What spiritual lesson do we learn from this event?
Jacob has finally come to realize after a lifetime of mistakes that the Lord does not have to act in line with the conventional way of doing things. He is sovereignly free to accomplish His good will apart from our plans and presumptions, and we must embrace His way, even when it is unconventional.
Our self-reliance and efforts to deceive are wrong, not to mention foolhardy.
Honest, God-dependent, noble, and careful - these traits define Jacob on his deathbed. Indeed true servants of Christ are made of such attributes (Ex. 20:16; Isa. 32:1–8; Luke 8:16–18; Phil. 3:8–10).
The challenge is whether we are willing to embrace the sanctification of our character now or later. Jacob had God's favor to reverse the curse of duplicity in his life at his deathbed. But are we sure we will be similarly blessed if we procrastinate? Will we have a last-minute reprieve like Jacob did? Isn't it better to repent now than never?
