Mar 20
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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 48 – 49
“After this, Joseph was told, ‘Behold, your father is ill.’ So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And it was told to Jacob, ‘Your son Joseph has come to you.’ Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, ‘God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).’ When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, ‘Who are these?’ Joseph said to his father, ‘They are my sons, whom God has given me here.’ And he said, ‘Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.’ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, ‘I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.’ Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. And 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). And he blessed Joseph and said, ‘The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.’ When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, ‘Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.’ But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.’ So he blessed them that day, saying, ‘By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’’ Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.’
Then Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come. Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father. ‘Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch! ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. ‘Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. ‘Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon. ‘Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds. He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor. ‘Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that his rider falls backward. I wait for your salvation, O LORD. ‘Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. ‘Asher’s food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies. ‘Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns. ‘Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers. ‘Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey and at evening dividing the spoil.’ All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.
Then he commanded them and said to them, ‘I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah— the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.’ When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 48–49, ESV).
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[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.]
Introduction
It’s hard to believe, but this is the second to last sermon in this series through the book of Genesis. If I’m not mistaken, this sermon number 81 — so 82 sermons will do it.
I should probably tell you that my plan is to go to the book of Ephesians next. Perhaps you could read through that little epistle once or twice before we begin, Lord willing, on March the 15th.
The passage that is before us today is Genesis 48 and 49. It may be divided into three parts. One, Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (48). Two, the testament of Jacob concerting his twelve sons (49:1-28), And three, the account of Jacob’s death and burial (49:29-33).
There are many things that could be said about these two chapters. In fact, I think I would go on for a very long time if I were to point out all of the nuances of this text, showing how these chapters reach back into the Genesis narrative drawing upon previous themes. Furthermore, these chapters do also prepare the reader for what is to come in the history of the nation of Israel. We must remember that the book of Genesis is the first book in a collection of five written by Moses. Together they are called the Pentateuch. These five books tell of the history of the nation of Israel and of the partial fulfillment of the promises made to the Patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Clearly, the nation of Israel is here in this passage in embryonic form. In particular, the testament which Jacob pronounces upon his sons has a prophetic quality to it. It anticipates the day when these sons would become tribes within the nation of Israel through their descendents.
Let us now consider each of these scenes one at a time. As has been my custom with these larger narratives, I will make a few observations and draw a few points of application from each.
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Jacob Blessed Joseph’s Sons, Ephraim and Manasseh
Let us begin by considering the first scene wherein Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
We know from the previous passage that Jacob had lived in Egypt for 17 years before the events of Genesis 48 transpired. That is a good long while. Notice that the scriptures do not say anything about the interaction between Joseph and his family during that time. We do not know for sure whether they saw each other often or rarely. One gets the impression that their interaction was limited.
In verse 1 we read, “After this, Joseph was told, ‘Behold, your father is ill.’ So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.” Later we will learn that this was the first time that Jacob met these grandchildren of his.
We are to remember that these were Jacob’s final words. Final words are very important. Notice three things about Jacob’s interaction with Joseph:
One, Jacob was very concerned to remind Joseph of the promises that God had made to him. In fact, this is the first thing that Jacob said. Verse 2:“And it was told to Jacob, ‘Your son Joseph has come to you.’ Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, ‘God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession’” (Genesis 48:2–4, ESV).
He got right to it, didn’t he? He looked at his beloved son Joseph — his son who had spent the majority of his life in Egypt, who was raised to the highest position in the land, who now enjoyed great fame, power, prestige and wealth — and said to him, don’t ever forget about the promises. Yes, you are the man in Egypt, but don’t forget the promises. These promises of God that were given first to Abraham, then to Isaac and now to me are more precious than anything found within Egypt, and they are yours. God has blessed us, Joseph. God had promised to make a nation of us, and to give us Canaan. Don’t ever forget it.
Two, Jacob was concerned to remind Joseph of his heritage. Verse 5: “And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours…” (Genesis 48:5–6, ESV).
If you take the time to think about it, this is very powerful and moving. Jacob claimed Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Egyptian born, as his own. Though they were Egyptians — and powerful Egyptians at that! — They were to be regarded as a part of Israel’s clan. It’s as if Jacob said to Joseph, don’t forget who you are. You are a Hebrew. You are a child of Abraham. You are an Israelite before you are an Egyptian. So true is this that your sons belong to me.
As I have said, this was a powerful and moving experience. It must have moved Joseph to stop and consider his allegiances. Was he an Egyptian first, or a Hebrew? And what about his children? Were they to align with the Egyptians, or with the Israelites? What was their heritage, and where was their inheritance to be found? I would imagine that it would have been tempting for Joseph to align himself with the Egyptians and to envision Egypt as being the place where his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, would enjoy their inheritance. Think again of the power, prestige and wealth that Joseph had gained in Egypt, and compare that with the very humble estate of the Hebrews. Indeed, they would become slaves in Egypt. And yet Jacob spoke to Joseph, saying, you and the boys belong to me.
[Application: I think there is a point of application for the Israel of God in this New Covenant age to consider. The question for us is, with whom will we aline? With whom do we identify? Do we look out upon the world — that is, the kingdoms and cultures of this world — and say, “I’m with them”? Or do we look upon the people of God — those who have been chosen, called and redeemed — and say, “I’m with them”? There have been times when bearing the name, “Christians” has brought with it respect from the world. But quite often bearing the name of Christ brings reproach. Quite often the world has destain for the one who has faith in Christ. Will you bear the name Christian? Will you identify with the people of God? Will you do this even if it costs you — even if, worldly speaking, the future doesn’t look so bright? Will you do it? And more than that, will you teach your children, who you love so dearly, that this is the best way? And here, I think, is the real test. It is one thing for you to decide to suffer for the name of Christ. It is quite another thing for you to look at your children and to say, son, daughter, it is worth it to follow Christ. “Jesus told his disciples, “deny [yourself] and take up [you] cross and follow [him]. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for [Christ’s] sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24–25, ESV). Friends, the one who understands something of the mysteries of the kingdom of God knows that truly living for God and for his kingdom is the better investment, even it it means suffering the loss of everything this world has to offer.]
Joseph knew it. And so too did Ephraim and Manasseh, for when Israel did finally emerge from Egypt in the days of Moses, the descendents of Ephraim and Manasseh were there. The would be listed among the 12 tribes of Israel. They threw in their lot with the Hebrews in fulfillment to what Jacob said to Joseph.
Three, Jacob was concerned to remind Joseph of where he was from and where his treasure should be. We see this at the end of verse 6 where Jacob speaks of the “inheritance” that Ephraim and Manasseh will receive. He is referring, of course, a portion of the land of Canaan. We see this again in verse 21 where “Israel said to Joseph, ‘Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow” (Genesis 48:21–22, ESV).
It is as if Jacob was saying to Joseph, when you think of the future, do not think of Egypt. Think instead of Canaan. The descendents of Ephraim and Manasseh will have a portion in that land. You too will have a portion there. In fact, “I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow” — I’m giving that to you, Joseph, as a kind of first fruits or down payment. Egypt is not our home. Canaan is. Fix your eyes upon that land and set your heart there.
And of course we know that when the patriarchs set their heart upon the land of Canaan, they were in fact setting their hearts upon the kingdom of God that will be consummated in the new heavens and new earth at the end of time, just as Abraham looked “ forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10, ESV). The Patriarch and the Prophets understood that Israel in Canaan was but a small taste of the new heavens and earth to be ushered in at the end of time, which is the king of God in its fulness.
[Application: It is very appropriate for me to exhort you in a similar way to the way in which Jacob exhorted Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. Israel of God, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth [be it in Egypt, in the United States of America, or in some other place], where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21, ESV)
It is amazing to see the strength of Jacob’s faith in his last days on earth. He remembered God’s precious promises. He was confident that they would come true — he truly believed that he and his many descendents would inherit Canaan. In his dying days Jacob was concerned to stir up this same hope within Joseph and his two sons.
Let us now consider for a very brief moment the blessing that Jacob pronounced upon Manasseh and Ephraim:
Jacob was overjoyed to meet the boys. He spoke to Joseph, saying, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” Jacob’s sight was so bad that he could not tell who the boys were. He had to ask Joseph. This should remind us of Jacob’s father, Isaac. When he was old he desired to pronounce blessings upon his sons, Jacob and Esau. He eyesight was so poor that he could not tell the difference between the two. Jacob took advantage go this, deceived him, and stole the blessing of the firstborn.
Notice that Jacob, like his father Isaac, also blessed the younger over the older, but willing, and not because he was deceived. Joseph brought the boys to Jacob in the proper position, with the older to Jacob’s right hand and the younger to Jacob’s left. But when Jacob pronounced the blessing, he crossed his hands, placing his right hand on the younger and his left on the older. Joseph protested, saying, “‘Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.’ But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
[Application: This theme has been present within Genesis ever since Able was chosen over Cain. God’s ways are not our ways. His way is to “chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; [to] …chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [and to] …chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29, ESV). And so it is with our calling, brothers and sisters. He has chosen and blessed us by his grace alone. The is no room for boasting.]
When Jacob blessed the boys, he really blessed Joseph. The blessing is beautiful. [verse 15] “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
As I have said, this blessing would come to fulfillment when Moses would lead Israel out of Egypt hundreds of years later, and when Joshua would lead the people into the promised land. Two of Israel’s tribes were Ephraim and Manasseh.
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Jacob Testified Concerting His Twelve Sons
Let us now turn our attention to the testimony of Jacob concerning his twelve sons in 49:1-28. Notice that I have called this a “testimony”, and not a “blessing”. The reason should be obvious. Not all that Jacob said to his sons can be regarded as a blessing. In fact, Jacob had some hard things to say to some of them. This was particularly true for his oldest son, Rueben.
I will not comment on what was said to each of Jacob’s sons. It is to be understood that Jacob’s words to each of his sons were fulfilled, in one way or another, in the history of the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what Jacob intended. He spoke to his sons, saying, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come. ‘Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father’” (Genesis 49:1–2, ESV).
For the sake of time I will focus upon five of the sons.
One, notice that Reuben received a firm rebuke from his father on account of his wicked behavior. We might expect the firstborn to receive the greatest blessing. Instead, Jacob said “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!” (Genesis 49:3–4, ESV). Joseph was known for his faithfulness and stability. Ruben was known for his lack of it. He was an unstable man, lacking self control and driven by his passions.
Two, Simeon and Levi are addressed together. They are called “brothers”. In fact, all of these men were brothers, either full or half. But Levi and Simeon were allied with one another. Their faith rebuked them for their anger, violence and cruelty, saying, ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” Once again, it must be acknowledged that Israel was chosen of the Lord by God’s grace, and not because of some inherent goodness in them. Ruben, Simeon and Levi were not good men. In Simeon and Levi we see the danger of slowing anger to drive us. A man or woman who is quick to anger will produce damage and division everywhere they go. Jacob wanted nothing to do with them, saying, “O my glory, be not joined to their company.”
Now considerJudah. The blessing pronounced upon him was magnificent. This too was by the grace of God, for Judah was not a good man in his earlier years, but we did witness a transformation in him. The blessing pronounced upon Judah would be fulfilled in King David and also in the Messiah who would descend from him. Listen carefully beginning in verse 8: “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk” (Genesis 49:8–12, ESV). Judah would have preeminence in Israel. King David would descend from him, and even more significant, Jesus the Christ, the lion of the tribe of Judah.
Lastly, consider the blessing pronounced upon the beloved Joseph. His is the most elaborate and complex. The blessing is also fitting, highlighting Joseph’s faithfulness and consistency in the face of much opposition. Verse 22: “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.” The tribe of Joseph in Israel was divided into two — the half tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh. These words concerning Joseph would find their historical fulfillment in those tribes.
In verse 28 we read, “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him” (Genesis 49:28, ESV).
[Application: As I considered what Jacob said to each of his sons the thought occurred to me, what would people say of me at the end of my life, if they were honest? What kind of blessing would be suitable to me? And so I ask, what would people say about you? Even more important, what will God say about you? Will you hear those words of commendation — “well done my good and faithful servant”? Or will you hear words of condemnation — “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23–24, ESV).
Judah should give us hope. In Judah we find a man who didn’t start well, but he finished well and was blessed in the end. Also in Judah we find the Christ, the true son of David, the Messiah, and our Savior who has atoned for all our sins. May we be found in him on that last day, for apart from him there is no hope, only the sure expectation of judgement.]
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Jacob Made Final Preparations Before Being Gathered To His People In Death
Lastly, and briefly, let us consider the final preparations of Jacob before his death.
One, notice his instance on being buried in Canaan in that “cave that is in the field at Machpela” where his ancestors and his wife Leah were buried. Again, Canaan was home to Jacob. His hope and his heart were there, because of the promises of God.
Two, notice that Jacob expected to see his loved ones after his death. “I am to be gathered to my people”, he said. And then, after Jacob breathed his last he was said to be “gathered to his people”. Of course this expression means that Jacob died and was buried, just has those who had gone before him had been. But more than that, Jacob went on living. His body died, but he was ”gathered to his people” — he enjoyed life after death.
This reminds me of what Jesus said when refuting the Sadducees who taught that there was no resurrection — no life after death. In Matthew 22:29 “Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: [citing Moses in Exodus 3:6] ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.’ And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching” (Matthew 22:29–33, ESV). When God appeared to Moses those many years after the death of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he revealed himself as “the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”, indicating that though they had passed from this world bodily, they were, in fact, alive according to the spirit.
Friends, when we breath our last breath on this earth it is not the end. The human soul goes on living. And according to the scripture, the body will be raised on the last day when Christ returns and reunited with the soul. This is true not only for those in Christ, but also those who are in their sin. And then comes the judgment. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:31–34, ESV).
When Jacob breathed his last, he “was gathered to his people.” He went to Abraham and Isaac, who’s faith he had. Jacob, like those who went before him, had his sins forgiven by believing upon the promises of God concerning the coming Messiah. Like Abraham, Jacob was justified by faith. He, like Abraham, “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3, ESV). When he passed from this world, he “was gathered to his people.”
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Conclusion
What will it be for you, friends? Who will you see when you pass from this world? Will you be amongst the sheep, that is to say, those of faith, cleansed by the blood of Jesus”? Or will you be amongst the goats, that is to say, those still in their sins and awaiting the judgment of God?
This is a serious and sobering question, but it is one that must be considered. For “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, ESV). Will you stand before God clothed in your guilt and sin, or in the righteousness of Christ received by faith. I pray it is the latter of these two things, and not the former.
May you “be found in [Christ], not having a righteousness of [your] own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…” (Philippians 3:9, ESV).
Here in Genesis 48 and 49 we have considered Israel in embryonic form. So too, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is here. He is in the loins of Jacob and Judah. In the fulness of time, he would be born into the world to live and to die and to raise again for sinners. May we be found in him.
