Blessings in Proper Position: The Story of Ephraim and Manasseh
"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 unto him." - Genesis 48:13
In Genesis 48:13 (KJV), we find a pivotal moment in the narrative of Joseph and his family as he brings his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, before their grandfather, Jacob, for a blessing. The verse reads: "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 unto him." At first glance, it may seem like a simple act of positioning, but there is profound meaning hidden within that moment that can enrich our understanding of God's sovereignty and the blessings He desires to bestow upon us.
To properly grasp the significance of this passage, we need to understand the context. Joseph had been away from his family for many years, rising to prominence in Egypt, yet he never lost the connection to his heritage. When Jacob's health was failing, Joseph brought his sons with the intent of receiving a blessing from their grandfather. In ancient times, particularly in the context of the Hebrew people, blessings were extremely valuable; they were not merely words of goodwill but a spiritual endowment of strength and favor from the patriarch.
However, in this verse, Joseph positions Ephraim, the younger brother, to Jacob’s right hand and Manasseh, the elder, to his left. This arrangement was significant because the right hand was associated with the greater blessing. The tradition was for the elder to receive the primary blessing, thus indicating the importance of hierarchy in family and society. Yet, as we will see, God’s plans often transcend human conventions.
Jacob, though nearly blind, was guided by Divine Insight. As he reached out to bless the boys, he crossed his arms—placing his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh. This deliberate act was not a mistake; it was an intentional proclamation of God's will. In essence, Jacob was performing an act of prophetic blessing, decreeing that Ephraim would become greater than his brother, embodying a future in which the favor of God was extended beyond the expected.
The crossing of hands represents the surprising ways of God in our lives. Often, we find ourselves firmly planted in our expectations, judging how blessings ought to be distributed based on our understanding of fairness and tradition. But God's kingdom operates on a principle of grace that defies worldly conventions. Just as Ephraim received a greater blessing than Manasseh, God often places His favor upon those we might least expect. It serves as a poignant reminder that God sees the potential in each of us, irrespective of our status, birth order, or past mistakes.
For many, the reality of life is steeped in positions of power, privilege, and position. Those who feel overlooked, marginalized, and sidelined must take heart. The story of Ephraim and Manasseh illustrates that God's grace is not tied to human merit; rather, it is a gift extended according to His divine wisdom and purpose. When we feel like we don’t belong or our efforts go unnoticed, perhaps God is preparing a blessing that surpasses our expectations. Just as Jacob demonstrated a bold act of faith in blessing the younger son, we too must be open to the unconventional avenues through which God may pour out His grace and manifest His favors upon us.
So, let us not be restrained by traditions or societal expectations. Instead, embrace the truth that we serve a God who is sovereign over blessing and able to elevate anyone He chooses to fulfill His divine plan. As we seek His face in prayer, may we align our hearts with His purpose, positioning ourselves to receive the overflowing blessings of His grace—no matter how unexpected they might be.
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Genesis 48:13 - "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 unto him."
"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 unto him." - Genesis 48:13
Genesis 24-48
Genesis 48:8 - "And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?"
Jeremiah 48:13 - "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."
Genesis 31:48 - "And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;"
Leviticus 13:48 - "Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;"
Genesis 48:3 - "And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,"
Genesis 48:12 - "And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth."
"And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?" - Genesis 48:8
Matthew 13:48 - "Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away."
Psalms 48:13 - "Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following."
Genesis 48:6 - "And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance."
Acts 13:48 - "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
Genesis 48:18 - "And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head."
Genesis 48:21 - "And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers."
Genesis 48:2 - "And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed."
Genesis 48:11 - "And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed."
Genesis 48:1 - "And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim."
Genesis 48:22 - "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."
Genesis 48:20 - "And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."
Genesis 48:10 - "Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them."
Isaiah 48:13 - "Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together."
Genesis 48:15 - "¶ 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,"
Genesis 48:4 - "And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession."
Genesis 48:14 - "And 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."
Genesis 48:5 - "¶ And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine."
"And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence." - Jeremiah 48:13
Ezekiel 48:13 - "And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand."
Genesis 48:9 - "And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them."