GENESIS 48:1-5,14-22
After the famine was over, Joseph lived about 66 more years. Jacob lived only about 10
or 11 more years. Little is said about either of them during these years. However, there
was one highly significant thing that occurred before Jacob's death.
Jacob said that his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, would be counted among his
own sons, which was significant as far as the inheritance was concerned. Although
Reuben was the firstborn of Leah, he had lost the birthright because of the gross sin of
lying with his father's concubine.
This birthright was then passed on to Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel. The birthright,
having come to Joseph, was then given to his sons. This was later referred to in 1
Chronicles 5:1-2: "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the
firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the
sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the
birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but
the birthright was Joseph's)."
Joseph had received the double portion of inheritance, and his two sons were numbered
among the 12 tribes of Israel as the recipients. God rewards those who honor Him.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land (Isa. 1:19).
Theodore Epp
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