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Genesis 48:10-14
Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. 11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” 12 Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. 13 And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
REFERENCES: GENESIS 41:50; ISAIAH 41:3; PSALM 72:23, 136:12; LUKE 22:69
Jacob lived his days believing he would never see his son Joseph again. Yet not only did God grant him the miracle of seeing his son again, but was also able to meet Joseph’s children, his grandkids. Their moment at the knee of Jacob was a picture of how God operates. God didn’t just meet expectations for Jacob’s family, he exceeded them. He will do the unusual to show us his love. Although there are days of despair and desperation that leave us feeling as if where we are is where we will remain forever, they will not. Even when all we can do is scream and shout out in pain, there is still hope. We have a heavenly Father who hears our cry. He knows our pain and is ready to shelter us in his arms. He reminds us that regardless of where we find ourselves, it’s going to be alright!
In Jesus, it will be alright.
Though Manasseh and Ephraim were his grandsons, Jacob blessed them as if they were his own sons. It was a power move, a decisive adoption in which the natural order was skipped so that they would inherit their blessing much sooner. And so it is with us. We are God’s chosen children, adopted into unqualified favor.
Throughout the Bible, the right hand serves as a symbol of strength, favor, and authority. At the time of blessing, the right hand is placed on the firstborn’s head to signal the wealth and legacy to be carried on. When Mannaseh was placed at Jacob’s right to receive his inheritance, Jacob crossed his arms and Ephraim instead received the firstborn’s blessing. In the same way, God crossed his arms at the cross, with his right hand blessing us in Jesus’ place.
Though culture and tradition often dictate our birthright, God has the last say. We are all sons and daughters in his eyes, not grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loves us so much that he placed his right hand on us. We couldn’t help being born into sin, but Jesus took our place so that we may become the righteousness of God. We serve a God who crossed his arms to pick the least likely. The ultimate, undeserving act that qualifies us to experience a relationship with God.
Increase your faith today. As an adopted child of God, speak words of life over your situation. Sing Resurrecting by Elevation Worship over your life.
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