Message Notes

18 February 2014

Text: Genesis 48:8-22

(I) JACOB

1. Eyes dim with age (Genesis 48:10)

2. Found strength to embrace and kiss the grandsons (Genesis 48:10)

3. His joy

a) He had not thought he would see Joseph again

b) But he was now seeing two grandsons (Psalm 128:6)

(II) PRESENTING THE TWO GRANDSONS FOR BLESSING

1. Manasseh on Jacob’s right (older son)

2. Ephraim on Jacob’s left (younger son) (Genesis 48:13)

3. Israel switching hands

a) Right hand on Ephraim’s head

b) Left hand on Manasseh’s head

4. Blessing of Joseph (Genesis 48:15-16)

a) Invoking God’s name (Genesis 48:15)

i) God of Abraham and Isaac

ii) The God who had fed him all his life to this day

b) Mention of the Angel of the Lord

i) The Angel who redeemed him from evil (Genesis 48:16a)

ii) Blessing of the grandchildren

c) Let my name be named upon them (Genesis 48:16b)

i) The name given by God Himself

ii) The name of Israel (Genesis 32:28)

iii) The name of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 48:16c)

iv) Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth (Genesis 48:16d)

5. Joseph saw this switch

a) He was upset (Genesis 48:17)

b) He tried to switch Jacob’s hands (Genesis 48:17)

c) He thought that his father had made a mistake (Genesis 48:18)

6. Jacob’s explanation

a) Jacob refused to switch hands

b) He prophesies the future of the two grandsons

i) Manasseh shall be great (Genesis 48:19)

ii) Ephraim shall be greater (Genesis 48:19)

7. Jacob’s Dying Words to Joseph

a) I am dying (Genesis 48:21a)

b) God will be with you (Genesis 48:21b)

c) He will bring you back to the land of your fathers (Genesis 48:21c)

d) He has given Joseph one extra portion above his brothers (Genesis 48:22)