Studies In Genesis: Chapter 48 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

Genesis 48

In this chapter we will see the blessings of Jacob over the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. We will also see the peculiar and unusual way in which he blessed them.

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.

Why is this considered to be an act of faith when this is the normal way of doing things, that is always blessing the children before the fathers death?

Before we begin with this chapter I would like us to think about the life of Jacob. If there was one word that would sum up the activity of his whole life what would it be?

Esau and Jacob struggle in birth and is born Gen 25:22-25

Esau and Jacob growing up different 25:27-28

Esau sells birthright to Jacob Gen 25:29-34

Jacob steals Esau's birthright Gen 27:1-33

Jacob runs from Esau Gen 27:42-28:5

Jacob meets God at Bethel 28:10-17 (Jacob's ladder)

Jacob makes a vow(or bargain) with God 28:18-22

Jacob works for Rachel Gen 29:1-22

Jacob deceived Gen 29:23-32

Jacob's family Gen 30:1-23

Jacob prepared to leave Laban Gen 30:24-39

Tension mounting between Jacob and Laban Gen 31:1-16

Jacob flees Haran Gen 31:16-42

A Covenant with Laban Gen 31:43-49

Jacob tries to deal with Esau Gen 32:1-23

Jacob wrestles Gen 32:24-26

Jacob's name changed to Israel Gen 32:27-32

Jacob's meets Esau Gen 33:1-16

Jacob journey's to Shalem Gen 33:17-20

Sin of Jacob's children Gen 34

Jacob again in Bethel Gen 35:1-8

God's renews his covenant Gen 35:9-15

Jacob and Family moves to Egypt Gen 46

Jacob blesses Family Gen 47

What a life he lived. But all is filled with growth. From the time that he met the Lord until the time of his death Jacob grew closer and closer to him. How? One word that stands out is trust or faith in God. No matter what he trusted in the Lord because God said,"I will be with thee."2 Peter 3

18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

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.

2 And [one] told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Here is where Jacob's mind is now always on the Lord. Remembering what God did for him but also remembering what God told him.

Genesis 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of. 16. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew [it] not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful [is] this place! this [is] none other but the house of God, and this [is] the gate of heaven. 18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put [for] his pillows, and set it up [for] a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city [was called] Luz at the first.

So here is the first appearing of him to the Lord.

Three fold promise:

1) the Land

2) multiply seed

3) blessings to all

Jacob has only seen the beginning of one-third of this but he truly has faith in God that the other two-thirds will be fulfilled

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.