Genesis 48:19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.”
I wonder how Joseph took the news that “the younger brother will be greater” than the older? At this point, this is the third generation this motif has come into play: Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and now Ephraim and Manasseh.
Genesis 48:20 He blessed them that day and said, “In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ ” So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
Is Joseph happy that his children will follow in this legacy of the youngest becoming greater? Does he now have empathy for how his brothers felt when he was blithely telling them all about the dream of them bowing to him? Is he jealous? Upset? Frustrated? Resigned? Happy?
Genesis 48:21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers.
Precious Savior, Hearing that the younger sibling will be greater than the older can cause a lot of arguments and anger in a family. But Your thoughts are not like our thoughts and Your ways are beyond anything we can imagine. Help us to let go of the ways of this world and simply try to do our best for You and Your kingdom. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 48:22 And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”
Have a blessed day.