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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 349

"He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His judgments, they have not known (fully appreciated) them. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 147:20

Text: Genesis 48:1-22

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

There was no question as to why Joseph was his favourite son and why he wanted to give a special portion to his two grandsons. Jacob recalled with great affection his memory of Rachel,

“But as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died beside me
in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little
distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to
Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”
GENESIS 48:7

Who but Joseph would appreciate such memories? Jacob was talking of his beloved late mother Rachel. Those were precious memories to Joseph too.


AN ESPECIALLY TENDER MOMENT

The eyes of Israel had grown dim with the passing of the years. He could barely make out the fact that Ephraim and Manasseh stood before him. Joseph almost had to formally introduce his two sons to his father at this point of time. Jacob, pleased that his grand-children, nay, his two new special sons, came with their father asked that they be brought to him that he might bless them.

“Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them
and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph,
‘I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also
shown me your offspring.'”
GENESIS 48:10-11


RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A FATHER’S BLESSING

Joseph respected and loved his father. He must have been deeply touched by his father’s special expression of love for his two sons. He was virtually giving Joseph a double portion that was reserved for the firstborn. Reuben the firstborn would in normal circumstances be given the double portion. But it was Joseph who was given this special blessing.

But who among the brothers would dispute Israel’s right to apportion that which was his? For that matter, who among the brothers would have dared to speak against Joseph? The whole family knew that everyone owed their very existence to Joseph’s providence. If he had not taken them to live in Goshen and provided for them as he had, they would at best have been impoverished, and at worst, they would have died in the famine years!

With great respect, Joseph brought his sons before his beloved aged father.

“So Joseph brought them from beside his knees,
and he bowed down with his face to the earth.”
GENESIS 48:12

It is little wonder why Jacob loved Joseph the way he did! None of his sons had ever shown him such respect! The mighty minister of Egypt bowed to his aged father!