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My Song In The Night (Genesis)
我夜间的歌曲《创世记》

My Song In The Night (Genesis)
我夜间的歌曲《创世记》 
Day 
Day 373

Text: Genesis 48: 20-22

MEDITATION

Genesis 48:20-22

20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!’” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.
22 Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.”

MEANINGFUL APPLICATION TO LIFE

1. The blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh

a. This special blessing will become an idiom in the future.
b. When people wish to pronounce a blessing:
i. They will remember Joseph and his special role.
ii. They will say this as the hoped-for blessing.
“May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!”
c. Thus, Jacob confirmed that Ephraim would be superior to Manasseh.
d. His name would appear first and then Manasseh, though the latter was firstborn.

2. Facing imminent death

a. Jacob knew that the end of his life had come.
b. But he found assurance in his faith in God.
c. There was hope concerning the future.

3. God’s role

a. God would be with Joseph.
b. He will one day lead everyone back to the land of Canaan.
c. They will return to the land of their forefathers.

4. Inheritance for Joseph

a. His two sons were promoted to the ranks of the sons of Jacob.
i. Manasseh would receive a portion of the land.
ii. Ephraim would also inherit in similar fashion.
b. There was a special piece of land that Jacob fought for
i. This was not recorded in the Book of Genesis.
ii. This was a piece of land that Jacob had to use his bow and arrow to obtain.
iii. This piece of land would be given to Joseph specifically.
c. This was the “double portion” above all his other brothers.
d. This was Jacob’s prerogative to divide what he had among his children.
e. The favour that Joseph had from his father was no longer questioned or envied.

经文：创世记 48：20-22

沉思

《创世记 48：20-22》
20当日就给他们祝福说：“以色列人要指着你们祝福说：‘愿神使你如以法莲、玛拿西一样。’”于是，立以法莲在玛拿西以上。
21以色列又对约瑟说：“我要死了，但神必与你们同在，领你们回到你们列祖之地。

22并且我从前用弓用刀从亚摩利人手下夺的那块地，我都赐给你，使你比众弟兄多得一份。”

在生活里有意义地应用

1. 给以法莲和玛拿西的祝福

a. 这特别的祝福将成为以后的一个习语
b. 当人们要祝福时：
i. 他们会记得约瑟和他特别的角色
ii. 他们会说这是所希望的祝福
“愿神使你如以法莲、玛拿西一样。”
c. 因此，雅各肯定了以法莲会比玛拿西更出色
d. 他的名字会在玛拿西之前，虽然玛拿西是长子

2. 面临死亡

a. 雅各知道他的生命即将到尾声
b. 但他在上帝里的信心中找到肯定
c. 对于未来是富有希望的

3. 上帝的角色

a. 上帝会与约瑟同在
b. 祂总有一天会带领大家回到迦南地
c. 他们会回到列祖之地

4. 给约瑟的产业

a. 他的两个儿子会被提升为跟雅各的儿子同等地位
i. 玛拿西会得到地的一部分
ii. 以法莲也会得到同样的产业
b. 这是雅各特别争取的一块地
i. 这没有记载在《创世记》里
ii. 这是雅各用弓用刀夺得的地
iii. 这块地会特地留给约瑟
c. 这是比他其他兄弟多得的一份地
d. 雅各有权决定怎么把产业分给他的儿子们
e. 约瑟得到他父亲的恩宠已不被质疑或羡慕了