# 441 Bless Your Children and Grandchildren

The Book of Genesis

Day 441

Ge 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, "I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!"  12 So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth.  13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near him.  14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.  15 And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,  16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

What a scene! Jacob with failing eyesight and his time on earth winding down is gathered together bedside with Joseph and his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. This was a very special moment for this family and one can only hope that this scene could be played out in our own lives in our waning years.

Jacob kisses and embraces them, and you can sense his thankfulness as the one who was totally without hope of ever seeing his son alive again, but now God has allowed him to embrace Joseph and his sons on his deathbed! What a miracle! What a blessing!

Joseph puts his sons in the traditional position to receive the blessing, with the eldest on the right of Jacob and the youngest on the left, but God has other ideas and Jacob crosses his hands and bestows the blessing on the younger child first. (Seems to be a pattern in this family! And it always serves as a reminder that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy.  Ro 9:10-15 puts it this way: “And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac  11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),  12 it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger."  13 As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."  14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!  15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."

I find it interesting too, that as Jacob placed his hands on Manasseh and Ephraim, and bestowed the blessing on them, that “he blessed Joseph.” (verse 15,) A reminder for grandparents everywhere that in blessing your grandchildren, you are blessing their parents! And what a blessing this was!

First of all, Jacob recounts the history of God working in their family. (“The God before whom Abraham and Isaac walked.”) Then he recounts the impact God had on his life. (“The God who fed me.”) The term for fed here is shepherd and this is the first time in Scripture that God is referred to as a shepherd.) So this is the God who “shepherded Jacob all his life even to this day. This was the Angel, (capital A) a reference to the eternal Christ, who has redeemed (or been a Savior) to me from all evil. May this same God who did all these things for my grandfather, my father, and me, bless these boys of yours! Let my name be upon them and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac. (In other words, may they continue in the faith, and let them multiply on the earth, bringing others to faith as well.”

Can you think of a better blessing for your children and grandchildren? Pronounce this blessing on them early and often. Reaffirm this blessing throughout their lives. Recount God’s goodness, His faithfulness every chance you get! And pray this blessing on all your offspring!