August 12, 2013
Genesis 48-Part 1
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; Genesis 48:16a
LET IT GLOW
The other day my husband and I went to a favorite restaurant to eat. He paid for it with a gift card that I had received from my secret sis. The card was redeemed as payment for the bill. There is something else that has been redeemed for me. Jacob mentions it. Shall we read on?
On down the road, with 17 years elapsing, we pick up Jacob about to die. We don't know what happened within those years, only that they survived the 7 year famine due to Joseph's obedience and God's provisions. Jacob gives his blessings to his sons and grandsons, which we read in this chapter and the next. Jacob calls for Joseph to come to him. He brings his two sons, which are in their twenty's by now.
The author of Hebrews included this as an act of faith; Hebrews 11:21NIV says By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
Abraham's blessings and promises from God were given to Isaac instead of Ishmael, and Jacob instead of Esau, not being the first-born sons.
These blessings included:
- being fruitful,
- multiplied, or increased in numbers,
- a multitude or community of people,
- Promise land for an inheritance.
LET IT GROW
The MacArthur Bible Commentary says this concerning verse 3-6:
After summarizing God's affirmation of the Abrahamic covenant to himself, Jacob/Israel, in gratitude for Joseph's great generosity and preservation of God's people, formally proclaimed adoption of Joseph's sons on a par with Joseph's brothers in their inheritance, thus granting to Rachel's two sons (Joseph and Benjamin) three tribal territories in the land (verse 16). This may explain why the new name, Israel, was used throughout the rest of the chapter.Jacob, using his paternal authority to enable Joseph's sons to inherit directly from their grandfather, rather than Joseph. (Selman)
In other words, their inheritance was the same as a son's share. They didn't have to share their father's inheritance between the two of them, thus, each got their own share.
In his blindness, actually led by God, Jacob crossed his hands to bless the second born son, not the first. Jacob knew exactly what he was doing. He refused to let Joseph correct him (verse 19).
The fact that Jacob crossed his hands brings the cross into the picture. It is through the cross that God crucified the old nature and now sets aside the natural that He might establish the spiritual. When you are born again, God rearranges your spiritual "birth order." (Wiersbe)
May they be called by my name, stated in NIV verse 16. So the twelve sons and two grandsons of Israel become tribes and form the nation of Israel. Ephraim became the leader of this nation, who received the greater blessing.
The first time that redeemed is mentioned, meaning to be the next of kin (buy back a relative's property), deliver, purchase, ransom.
Jesus Christ is our kinsman Redeemer, as in Ruth 4:4.
This is the first mention of God as redeemer, deliverer, or Savior. (MacArthur)
We owed a debt that we could not pay, due to our sins, so Jesus paid it for us and offers salvation to us for free of charge. Have you accepted the gift of salvation?
LET IT GO
Trust God with my future.
Trust Jesus as my Redeemer.
Trust my children and grandchildren to the Savior.
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