"When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. When the Canaanites saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, 'The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.' That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim.
So Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them: They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field. After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father." (Genesis 50:10-14 NIV)
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The threshing floor of Atad was probably the largest cleared open area where the company who were accompanying Joseph could assemble together. The Canaanites who observed this seven-day period of mourning thought it was a group of Egyptians which had assembled nearby. That's why they called the place Abel Mizraim ('mourning of the Egyptians').
This is not surprising. No doubt most of the party were dressed in the Egyptian style of clothing, including Joseph, who had continued to work as Pharaoh's prime minister, and would have had to dress in a manner appropriate to his role. The Egyptian dignitaries likewise would be similarly dressed.
Joseph's brothers and relatives, living somewhat apart in Goshen, may have been dressed in more distinctively Hebrew attire, but the attention of the surrounding Canaanites was probably mostly focused upon the insignia of the Egyptian chariots and horsemen who accompanied the party. You can be sure that these Canaanites had noticed the chariots and the horsemen dressed in Egyptian garb and wondered why they had arrived in their territory. I imagine that they were somewhat relieved to see that the soldiers were only there to protect the mourners.
I do not know if professional mourners had been sent along as well, but if they were, the mourning was done in a dignified manner, for the observers noted that although these 'Egyptians' mourned loudly and bitterly, it was a solemn occasion (v.11). The Canaanites must have been duly impressed with these happenings, for they named the area Abel Mizraim -- 'mourning of the Egyptians'. How they must have wondered about who was being buried! Who was this great man who was being laid to rest in the cave of Machpelah?
I think Jacob himself would have been somewhat surprised at all the fuss. He may have smiled to see that although his own years did not attain to the same duration as his father and grandfather -- Isaac and Abraham, who live to be 180 and 175 -- (see Genesis 47:9), his name would forever be linked with theirs as followers of the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob had changed dramatically over the years, but God had not: He was for Jacob what He had promised to be for Abraham in Genesis 15:1(NIV) -- "...I am your shield, your very great reward."
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Genesis 50:4-9 Joseph Uses Up All His Personal Days
When the days of mourning had passed,
Joseph said to Pharaoh's court,
'If I have found favor in your eyes,
speak to Pharaoh for me.
speak to Pharaoh for me.
Tell him, "My father made me swear an oath
and said, 'I am about to die;
and said, 'I am about to die;
bury me in the tomb I dug for myself
in the land of Canaan.'
in the land of Canaan.'
Now let me go up and bury my father,
then I will return.' "
then I will return.' "
Pharaoh said, "Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do."
So Joseph went up to bury his father.
All Pharaoh's officials accompanied him --
the dignitaries of his court
and all the dignitaries of Egypt --
and all the dignitaries of Egypt --
besides all the members of Joseph's household
and his brothers
and his brothers
and those belonging
to his father's household.
to his father's household.
Only their children
and their flocks and herds
were left in Goshen.
and their flocks and herds
were left in Goshen.
Chariots and horsemen also went up with him.
It was a very large company."
Genesis 50:4-9 NIV
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It certainly was a large company. Joseph and Jacob's entire households, Joseph's brothers, all the dignitaries from Pharaoh's personal court as well as those from the country of Egypt (accompanied, I am sure, by servants to take care of the necessities along the journey's way), chariots and horsemen for protection and ceremony -- this was a big deal.
Children and flocks were left behind, both for practical reasons, and, no doubt, as a bit of insurance that Joseph and his brethren would return to Goshen.
It may seem strange that Joseph had to ask members of Pharaoh's court to speak to Pharaoh about allowing him to go to Canaan to bury his father Jacob, but it is in accordance with court protocol: those in mourning were not allowed in the ruler's presence. Also, in general, one would basically 'put on a happy face' in the king's presence, no matter what might be going on in your personal life.
This wasn't only in Egypt, either. You can see the same thing happening in Babylon in the book of Nehemiah (1:4 and 2:1-2) where Nehemiah is obviously a bit nervous that the king has detected his deep mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem. It is also evident in the book of Esther (see chapters 3 and 4), where Mordecai (wearing sackcloth and ashes) is unable to proceed further than the king's gate (4:2). The latter incident took place in Persia (southwest Iran), in the city of Susa.
So, even though Joseph had saved the entire country of Egypt (not to mention surrounding nations whose people came to Egypt to buy grain during the famine), he, too, had to follow correct procedure.
This wasn't only in Egypt, either. You can see the same thing happening in Babylon in the book of Nehemiah (1:4 and 2:1-2) where Nehemiah is obviously a bit nervous that the king has detected his deep mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem. It is also evident in the book of Esther (see chapters 3 and 4), where Mordecai (wearing sackcloth and ashes) is unable to proceed further than the king's gate (4:2). The latter incident took place in Persia (southwest Iran), in the city of Susa.
So, even though Joseph had saved the entire country of Egypt (not to mention surrounding nations whose people came to Egypt to buy grain during the famine), he, too, had to follow correct procedure.
As we have seen, however, Pharaoh was quite willing to have Joseph fulfill the oath he had sworn to his father. Pharaoh also provided chariots and horsemen for ceremony and protection. Pharaoh himself, obviously, would not be able to go to Canaan, but he sent his own court dignitaries and the dignitaries of the nation of Egypt to attend the burial.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Genesis 50:1-3 Joseph Mourns for Jacob
"Joseph threw himself upon his father and wept over him and kissed him.
Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel.
So the physicians embalmed him, taking a full forty days,
for that was the time required for embalming.
And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days."
Genesis 50:1-3 (NIV)
__________________________________
Joseph was quite sensitive and emotional. (See Genesis 42:24; 43:30; 45:2,14-15; 46:29) Not that there's anything wrong with that. Some people seem to feel things really deeply. I don't look at that as a weakness. If anything, it's a hyper-sensitivity to the people and happenings around them. Like one person wrote (and I can't remember where, so drop me a comment if you know the source):
"I'm like an antennae covered with skin."
I thought that was a perfect description.
I, too, am an antennae. I can get teary at a news video of a lost dog running down a busy highway. (Yeah, I'm a dog person, too.) At funeral services at our church, I'm the one at the back busy getting the refreshments ready so that I don't overload from all the (to me) nearly tangible emotion in the room. Especially if there's music. (My fellow antennas know what I am talking about.)
I, too, am an antennae. I can get teary at a news video of a lost dog running down a busy highway. (Yeah, I'm a dog person, too.) At funeral services at our church, I'm the one at the back busy getting the refreshments ready so that I don't overload from all the (to me) nearly tangible emotion in the room. Especially if there's music. (My fellow antennas know what I am talking about.)
Such sensitivity has its advantages, too. I can walk into a room full of people and within a minute I can tell who is doing fine and who is having a bad day or struggling with some issue. I can tell if a newcomer felt uncomfortable with someone's flippant remark, or if a child is shy or overwhelmed. Then I can try to encourage those with struggles or meet the needs of those around me.
Of course, such an empathetic spirit needs to be reigned in somewhat, so that it doesn't control you. Like any other characteristic or ability, it has its advantages and its disadvantages:
- The guy who is bold in speaking out needs to watch that he is not skewering some poor soul with careless words.
- The generous person needs to remember to pay her own bills on time,
- ...while the frugal ones need to watch that they don't spill over into miserliness.
But I digress...somewhat. For I had been thinking that probably only someone who has lost their own father can truly relate to Joseph's behavior. This, of course, brought a tear or two to my own eyes, especially since Dad was a bit of an antennae person, too, whose eyes would sometimes, shall we say, 'glisten' while watching Lassie movies. [That dog had more heart-tugging, near-death experiences than Evel Knievel!]
OK, back to Joseph...
OK, back to Joseph...
Joseph first throws himself upon his father's body and weeps over him, then -- administrator that he is -- gets control of himself and directs his doctors to begin the embalming process. There were probably priest-types [like his father-in-law? (Genesis 41:45)] who would have been glad to do this service for Joseph's father, but Joseph probably wanted to avoid any questionable religious rituals which may have accompanied their ministrations. Hmm...wonder if that caused any family stress, huh? Yet Joseph, as usual, remained committed to being a godly example.
The embalming process took forty days, and the Egyptians mourned for Jacob for seventy days. This was probably done out of respect for Joseph, who was a public figure and had helped Egypt so much during the time of famine.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Genesis 49:29-33 Jacob's Last Moments
"Then he gave them these instructions:
When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people." (Genesis 49:29-33 NIV)
___________________________________________
Joseph had been notified that his father was ill, and had come to his bedside. Apparently he realized that his father was not long for this world, for he brought his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along as well. When Joseph arrived, Jacob had "...rallied his strength and sat up on the bed." (Genesis 48:2 NIV)
Jacob had adopted Joseph's two sons as his own, and had revealed that Ephraim would have preeminence over his brother Manasseh, who was the firstborn of Joseph's sons. Both, however, would share in the blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob himself.
Then Jacob had blessed each of his sons individually, giving a prophetic picture of the characteristics of each tribe which would spring from the twelve brothers. For some of the tribes, some of the main events in the tribe's future were outlined.
Now, Jacob gives his sons instructions as to the burial of his body. He commands them to bury him in the family burial cave which Abraham had purchased from the Hittites. He gives very specific directions as to the location of the field and cave which Abraham had purchased.
Although Jacob had been living in the land of Egypt for about seventeen years (Genesis 47:28), he had never forgotten that his real home was in the land of Canaan which God had promised to his grandfather Abraham. Actually, some time earlier, when Jacob realized that he was nearly about to die, he had made Joseph promise that he would bury his body in the place where his grandfather and father were buried. (Genesis 47:2-31). Now Jacob repeats these instructions in the presence of all the brothers.
I do not think that this is simply so that they will carry out his last wishes. If Jacob were to be buried in Egypt, it would be easy for his descendants to remain in Egypt indefinitely. It would be very difficult for them to leave their ancestor's body behind and go to a place which most of them had never seen before. Perhaps they would have even begun worshiping Egypt's 'gods' eventually. Instead, Jacob wants them to bury him in the land of Canaan, for that place, not Egypt, is the land which was promised to Abraham and his descendants forever. In this way, even Jacob's burial place would testify to his descendants as to the place where they should be living, and the One whom they should be worshiping.
After giving his instructions, Jacob/Israel gathers his feet back up into the bed and calmly breathes his last breath. There is something very poignant about Jacob's last moments. He has had a rather turbulent life, much of which is because of his own doing. However, he has grown in faith and come to rely upon "the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel" (Genesis 49:24) entirely for his needs. Even now, as Jacob dies, he looks with eyes of faith for that Shepherd to continue to lead him -- not into oblivion -- but to be gathered into the company of his people.
'I am about to be gathered to my people.
Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan,
which Abraham bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field.
There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried,
there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried,
and there I buried Leah.
The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.'
When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people." (Genesis 49:29-33 NIV)
___________________________________________
Joseph had been notified that his father was ill, and had come to his bedside. Apparently he realized that his father was not long for this world, for he brought his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along as well. When Joseph arrived, Jacob had "...rallied his strength and sat up on the bed." (Genesis 48:2 NIV)
Jacob had adopted Joseph's two sons as his own, and had revealed that Ephraim would have preeminence over his brother Manasseh, who was the firstborn of Joseph's sons. Both, however, would share in the blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob himself.
Then Jacob had blessed each of his sons individually, giving a prophetic picture of the characteristics of each tribe which would spring from the twelve brothers. For some of the tribes, some of the main events in the tribe's future were outlined.
Now, Jacob gives his sons instructions as to the burial of his body. He commands them to bury him in the family burial cave which Abraham had purchased from the Hittites. He gives very specific directions as to the location of the field and cave which Abraham had purchased.
Although Jacob had been living in the land of Egypt for about seventeen years (Genesis 47:28), he had never forgotten that his real home was in the land of Canaan which God had promised to his grandfather Abraham. Actually, some time earlier, when Jacob realized that he was nearly about to die, he had made Joseph promise that he would bury his body in the place where his grandfather and father were buried. (Genesis 47:2-31). Now Jacob repeats these instructions in the presence of all the brothers.
I do not think that this is simply so that they will carry out his last wishes. If Jacob were to be buried in Egypt, it would be easy for his descendants to remain in Egypt indefinitely. It would be very difficult for them to leave their ancestor's body behind and go to a place which most of them had never seen before. Perhaps they would have even begun worshiping Egypt's 'gods' eventually. Instead, Jacob wants them to bury him in the land of Canaan, for that place, not Egypt, is the land which was promised to Abraham and his descendants forever. In this way, even Jacob's burial place would testify to his descendants as to the place where they should be living, and the One whom they should be worshiping.
After giving his instructions, Jacob/Israel gathers his feet back up into the bed and calmly breathes his last breath. There is something very poignant about Jacob's last moments. He has had a rather turbulent life, much of which is because of his own doing. However, he has grown in faith and come to rely upon "the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel" (Genesis 49:24) entirely for his needs. Even now, as Jacob dies, he looks with eyes of faith for that Shepherd to continue to lead him -- not into oblivion -- but to be gathered into the company of his people.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Genesis 49:28 Jacob's Blessing: Summary
"All these are the twelve tribes of Israel,
and this is what their father said to them
when he blessed them,
giving each the blessing appropriate to him."
Genesis 49:28 (NIV)
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Barnes notes that the phrase "the twelve tribes" implies that the benediction which Jacob gives refers to the whole tribe, not just the heads of the tribe, which I thought was an interesting observation.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible follows suit, for he notes that there were actually 13 tribes (2 springing from Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh), but Levi had no territory [apart from cities in each tribal area] in the land of Canaan, which was divided into 12 parts. He believes that this shows that Jacob's predictions are not just about the individual patriarchs of the tribes, but each tribe as a whole.
Gill also notes that although some of the tribes (think of Reuben, Simeon and Levi) may seem to be cursed rather than blessed, the majority of the tribes were clearly blessed, and what Jacob said about the others (by way of correction and rebuke), might become a blessing to them for their good. Also, they all had a part in the blessing of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as it related to the land of Canaan.
Keil and Delitzsch's Bible Commentary on the OT also notes that although Reuben, Simeon and Levi were put down through their own fault, each received a share in the promised blessing.
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible notes that every one of Jacob's sons received their appropriate blessing (guided by the Spirit of prophecy). All of the most important events which would occur during the following generations were outlined, and the prominent characteristic of each tribe was revealed. Also, he notes that some comparatively obscure references to the coming Messiah and the redemption of the world by him were made in these blessings.
I think that this last sentence is very important. We, ok I, might want to know every last detail about these tribes and their doings, but the Biblical account is concerned only with telling us enough to move the account along in the intended direction -- of revealing God and His plan for the nations.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Genesis 49:27 Jacob's Blessing: Benjamin
"Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
in the morning he devours the prey,
in the evening he divides the plunder."
Genesis 49:27 (NIV)
_______________________
Benjamin is an interesting person. Here are some facts about his life:
- He was the second of Jacob and Rachel's sons (the other son is Joseph).
- His mother Rachel died in childbirth. She had named him Ben-oni ("son of my sorrow"), but his father Jacob renamed him Benjamin ("son of the right hand"), a much more positive association.
- Another meaning of Benjamin's name could mean "son of the south", which refers to the fact that while the other brothers were born in Paddan Aram, where Jacob's uncle Laban lived, Benjamin was the only one who was born in Canaan, which was toward the south, at least in relation to where his brothers had been born.
- Did you realize that when Benjamin went down to Egypt with his brothers, he was a grown man? The accounts of the proposed journey make it seem like Benjamin was a child -- indeed the other brothers even refer to him as 'the boy' (Genesis 44:22,30-35), but the fact is that when Jacob and the rest of Joseph's brothers (and their families) go to live in Egypt near Joseph during the years of the famine, Benjamin brings along his ten sons. (Genesis 46:8,21,26)
- Since this journey occurs only a short time after all the brothers go to Egypt to buy food (for the famine was to last seven years and Joseph had told the brothers that they should join him in Egypt because there were still 5 more years of famine left to endure (Genesis 45:10-11), Benjamin had to have fathered all those children beforehand. Even if he married young and had some sets of twins, it would take some time to have had such a family before he went to Egypt. While it is not possible to determine his exact age, we can at least agree that he was not a young child when he went down to Egypt the first time with his brothers. However, in relation to the other brothers, who were all a bit older, we can understand that they might consider him the "baby" of the family, and even refer to him in a way that seems to indicate a child. [I have a younger brother who I still call 'Paulie", even though he is a grown man, so I can relate!]
- Jacob was guided by the Spirit of God when he spoke his brief blessing, otherwise he probably would have spoken more tenderly regarding his beloved son. [I think Jacob would have been much more wordy, too!] He foresees that Benjamin's tribe would be an active, strong, warlike tribe, and that they would become enriched from the spoils of these battles. The apostle Paul was from this tribe. (Romans 16:1, Philippians 3:5) (Matthew Henry)
- Jacob says that the Benjamites would be like a wolf: strength, courage, valor. Although Benjamin was a small tribe numerically, they would prevail over greater enemies.
Other Benjamites who were noted for their fierceness and/or strength of character:
Ehud (Judges 3:1-22)
Saul (I Samuel 22:17-20)
Paul (Acts 9:1) before he knew Christ*
Mordecai and Esther (OT book of Esther)
These ideas were from Mike Wells of Cornerstone Baptist Church (cornerstonebaptist-tyro.com)
*[Also, remember that they said that the apostle Paul had caused quite a stir all over the world (by his preaching the gospel) after he was saved (Acts 17:6 and 24:5). Sounds like a Benjamite-type of enthusiasm!]
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Benjamin's tribe almost got themselves wiped out at one point. See Judges chapters 19-21 for the whole story. The Benjamites refused to hand over the wicked men of Gibeah for punishment, so the rest of the tribes had to either attack Benjamin as well, or ignore the Lord's instructions to purge evildoers. (Deut. 17:7, 19:19-21). In this battle, 26,700 Benjamites slew 40,000 of their fellow Israelites before eventually being decimated in an ambush.
Keep in mind as you read this rather horrifying account that this was during the period of the judges, when "...Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV)
At the end of this battle, there were only 600 Benjamites left and the rest of the tribe, including the Benjamites' wives and children and animals had been destroyed. They would have perished as a tribe (for the other tribes had vowed to not give them their daughters in marriage) were it not for certain provisions which were made to provide them with wives.
The men from the town of Jabesh Gilead had failed to assemble with the other tribes in this disciplinary action against Benjamin, so they were wiped out, and 400 young unmarried women from Jabesh Gilead were given to the Benjamites as wives. This may seem like a harsh punishment against Jabesh Gilead, but the tribes were obligated to rally together as one in such times of crisis, or they would likely be wiped out by the surrounding peoples. They didn't have the luxury of deciding that they did not want to show up to certain battles.
However, that still left 200 Benjamites without wives. The Israelites devised a plan where they advised the remaining Benjamites to kidnap themselves an Israelite wife from among the unmarried girls dancing during an annual festival in Shiloh, and return to their towns to rebuild. In that way, they reasoned, the Benjamites would have wives and no one had really 'given' them their daughters. If any relatives complained about these arrangements, they would be told that they were helping to build up the decimated tribe of Benjamin so that there would be no gap made from the loss of a tribe of Israel.
Keep in mind as you read this rather horrifying account that this was during the period of the judges, when "...Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV)
At the end of this battle, there were only 600 Benjamites left and the rest of the tribe, including the Benjamites' wives and children and animals had been destroyed. They would have perished as a tribe (for the other tribes had vowed to not give them their daughters in marriage) were it not for certain provisions which were made to provide them with wives.
The men from the town of Jabesh Gilead had failed to assemble with the other tribes in this disciplinary action against Benjamin, so they were wiped out, and 400 young unmarried women from Jabesh Gilead were given to the Benjamites as wives. This may seem like a harsh punishment against Jabesh Gilead, but the tribes were obligated to rally together as one in such times of crisis, or they would likely be wiped out by the surrounding peoples. They didn't have the luxury of deciding that they did not want to show up to certain battles.
However, that still left 200 Benjamites without wives. The Israelites devised a plan where they advised the remaining Benjamites to kidnap themselves an Israelite wife from among the unmarried girls dancing during an annual festival in Shiloh, and return to their towns to rebuild. In that way, they reasoned, the Benjamites would have wives and no one had really 'given' them their daughters. If any relatives complained about these arrangements, they would be told that they were helping to build up the decimated tribe of Benjamin so that there would be no gap made from the loss of a tribe of Israel.
I know that there is probably much more that could be written about this tribe, but I will stop here for now. I'll update this later if other interesting things are discovered.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Genesis 49:22-26 Jacob's Blessing: Joseph
The blessing which Jacob gives to Joseph goes on for five verses! Here it is:
With bitterness archers attacked him;
For this blessing, I think that I will discuss things verse by verse, or at least phrase by phrase:
v.22: Jacob describes his son Joseph as a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. In this verse alone, Jacob says twice that Joseph will be fruitful. This is also a wordplay on Joseph's son Ephraim's name, which sounds like the Hebrew for 'twice fruitful'.
Remember back to when Joseph had interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, and revealed that there would be seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine? Joseph's wife bore him two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) during the seven years of abundance. Remember, too, that Jacob had predicted that the younger son, Ephraim, would be preeminent. Perhaps, in an indirect way, Jacob is reminding Joseph about this fact, even as he foresees fruitfulness for this tribe in general.
As for the image of this fruitful vine climbing over a wall, the tribe was so fruitful that in later years some members complained to Joshua that the territory assigned to the tribe was not big enough. I love Joshua's reply to their complaints (Joshua 17:14-18). Joshua basically told them to go clear themselves some more land in the forested hill country! When the same people complained further that their neighboring Canaanites had iron chariots, Joshua reminded both Ephraim and Manasseh that they were a very numerous and powerful people and would certainly be able to clear the forested hill country and drive out the Canaanites, even if they did have iron chariots. No whining allowed, just go clear yourselves some space!
v.23 This is the only place [as far as I am aware] where Jacob makes mention of the strife which had once occurred between the other brothers and Joseph. He correctly discerns that bitterness had been at the root of that conflict. Jacob also knows that great hostility had been directed towards Joseph, yet God had delivered him.
v.24-26 Jacob reminds Joseph that he had remained steady and strong in the midst of his troubles because he was helped by God. Notice the titles Jacob uses for God:
'the Mighty One of Jacob',
'the Shepherd',
'the Rock of Israel',
'your father's God',
'the Almighty'.
I believe that Jacob emphasizes God's power and faithfulness so that Joseph would continue to look to Him for help in the future. God is also the one 'who blesses you', and Jacob outlines all the ways in which this will be true for the tribe of Joseph (that is, for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh):
"Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
but his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd,
the Rock of Israel,
because of your father's God,
who helps you,
because of the Almighty,
who blesses you
with blessings of the heavens above,
blessings of the deep that lies below,
blessings of the breast and womb.
Your father's blessings are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers."
Genesis 49:22-26 (NIV)
___________________________
For this blessing, I think that I will discuss things verse by verse, or at least phrase by phrase:
v.22: Jacob describes his son Joseph as a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. In this verse alone, Jacob says twice that Joseph will be fruitful. This is also a wordplay on Joseph's son Ephraim's name, which sounds like the Hebrew for 'twice fruitful'.
Remember back to when Joseph had interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, and revealed that there would be seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine? Joseph's wife bore him two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) during the seven years of abundance. Remember, too, that Jacob had predicted that the younger son, Ephraim, would be preeminent. Perhaps, in an indirect way, Jacob is reminding Joseph about this fact, even as he foresees fruitfulness for this tribe in general.
As for the image of this fruitful vine climbing over a wall, the tribe was so fruitful that in later years some members complained to Joshua that the territory assigned to the tribe was not big enough. I love Joshua's reply to their complaints (Joshua 17:14-18). Joshua basically told them to go clear themselves some more land in the forested hill country! When the same people complained further that their neighboring Canaanites had iron chariots, Joshua reminded both Ephraim and Manasseh that they were a very numerous and powerful people and would certainly be able to clear the forested hill country and drive out the Canaanites, even if they did have iron chariots. No whining allowed, just go clear yourselves some space!
v.23 This is the only place [as far as I am aware] where Jacob makes mention of the strife which had once occurred between the other brothers and Joseph. He correctly discerns that bitterness had been at the root of that conflict. Jacob also knows that great hostility had been directed towards Joseph, yet God had delivered him.
v.24-26 Jacob reminds Joseph that he had remained steady and strong in the midst of his troubles because he was helped by God. Notice the titles Jacob uses for God:
'the Mighty One of Jacob',
'the Shepherd',
'the Rock of Israel',
'your father's God',
'the Almighty'.
I believe that Jacob emphasizes God's power and faithfulness so that Joseph would continue to look to Him for help in the future. God is also the one 'who blesses you', and Jacob outlines all the ways in which this will be true for the tribe of Joseph (that is, for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh):
- blessings of the heavens above (abundant rainfall)
- blessings of the deep that lies below (abundance from the sea, perhaps also lands watered by streams and subterranean springs)
- blessings of the breast and womb (fertility -- probably of people and animals)
- Jacob notes that his own blessings have been greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains and the age-old hills (riches of precious metals, maybe oil as well?). Since Jacob's blessings are being passed on to Joseph, I assume that these are also part of it. In fact Jacob ends his blessing by saying that 'all these' blessings should rest upon Joseph's head (v.26).
- Jacob also names Joseph as the one who will be over his brothers. (v.26)
I hope that you found this overview of Jacob's blessing upon Joseph (the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh) as interesting as I did. I think it only scratches the surface, though, which is the same thought that I have about all of the other tribes which I've covered. I hope to update these articles with any new information which I discover. Feel free to contribute any interesting sources and facts of your own to the comment section below each post.
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