(Genesis) Genesis 48:15-22
Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh reveals God's sovereignty and promise to multiply and bless their descendants.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob blessing his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the ultimate redeemer in our lives. Jacob blesses Ephraim, the younger brother, before Manasseh, the firstborn, which displeases Joseph. However, Jacob affirms that Ephraim will be greater and his descendants will become a multitude of nations. The preacher highlights the faith of Jacob and encourages the listeners to reflect on their own lives and the role of God as their redeemer.
Full Transcript
Now, we find that Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand, Manasseh on his left, pushes them up there, and Jacob just crosses. Now notice, Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph and said, God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day.
Now listen to him, he reaches spiritual heights here, friends, and he never goes any higher than this. Verse 16, The angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads. When you look back upon your life today, do you have a great deal to boast of? Oh, today there's so much of this reviewing of the lives of Christians and giving them a lot of credit.
Poor old Jacob, he's come a long ways, friends. He says, the angel which redeemed me from evil, bless the lads. Old Jacob had nothing to boast of, except he had a wonderful Redeemer.
And let my name be named on them in the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. And that certainly took place. Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him.
And he held up his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put thy right hand upon his head.
Listen to this. And his father refused and said, I know it, my son, I know it. He also shall become a people.
And he also shall be great, but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. That's important to see. And Joseph better accept it, because he's not the oldest.
He happens to be one of the youngest sons. And the blessing is given to him. Now notice verse 20.
He blessed them that day, saying, And thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh. And he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die, but God shall be with you, and bring you again into the land of your fathers.
Notice the faith of the man, friends. This man has a wonderful faith in God. Now he says, Moreover, I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
That is, that the inheritance he would take the place of the oldest.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction
- Jacob's Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh
- Joseph's Displeasure and Jacob's Refusal
- The Blessing and Its Significance
Key Quotes
“When you look back upon your life today, do you have a great deal to boast of?” — J. Vernon McGee
“He also shall be great, but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.” — J. Vernon McGee
“God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in God's sovereignty and plan, even when it seems contrary to human expectations.
- Our worth and value come from God's promise and blessing, not from human merit.
- Faith in God requires us to accept His plan and promises, even when they seem uncertain or difficult to understand.