Scripture:
17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
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.
Observation: Just because something has always been done that way, does not mean it has to always be done that way.
Application: Tradition and protocol demanded that Manasseh receive the blessing from his Grandfather. Joseph thinks his father, advancing in years, has just made a mistake and he attempts to correct him. This turns out to not be the case at all. Jacob is purposely blessing the younger son Ephraim and not the older son.
From my study bible:
The ancient law of primogeniture provided that, under ordinary circumstances, the younger of two sons would be subservient to the older. God's election of the younger son highlights the fact that God's people are the product not of a natural or worldly development but of his sovereign intervention in human affairs. Part of this verse is quoted in Romans 9:10-12 as an example of God's sovereign right to do "whatever pleases him" (Psalm 115:3) not in an arbitrary way (Romans 9:14) but according to His perfect will.
God does things in His own way. He is sovereign and His ways are perfect. We may find His ways different (not what you expect, contrary to the ways of the world), uncomfortable (sacrificing wants to honour God, being accountable for our actions), unfair (How can bad things happen? Why do the negative things in this world seem to prosper), or backwards (Forgiving those who persecute us and turning the other cheek, the first shall be last and the last shall be first) but it is not our job to figure it out or "correct" Him. He knows what He is doing. We just have to trust Him.
Prayer: All Mighty God, We stand in awe in your presence. You have turned everything upside down with purpose and knowledge of what is to come for each of us. We often doubt or have difficulty fully comprehending what is means for you to be sovereign. We struggle to understand that the way to rise above it all, is to fall down on our knees. You broke tradition and protocol when you sent the King of Kings to the world as a lowly baby. It was not Your plan to do the expected. Thank you for reminding us through Your word that You have it all worked out. Help us to rely on You more and more each day. Amen.
6 comments:
I love how here again in this situation, we see a contrast between accepting God's plan and plotting and deceiving to make it happen. Even though Joseph thought Jacob was making a mistake in blessing his sons in the "wrong" order, on his father's insistence, he backed off. I'm guessing from all his life experience, he recognized the sound of God's voice in all this.
I couldn't help but wonder how this whole story would have been different if Rebekah had just accepted that God would work everything out to make her favoured son ~ the younger one ~ rule over the older. Again, Joseph just shines through as a wonderful example of faith in a sovereign God.
"We struggle to understand that the way to rise above it all, is to fall down on our knees." I LOVE that sentence. AMEN!
"God does things in His own way. He is sovereign and His ways are perfect." Touche. Exactly what I need to hear, time and time and time again!!
Great post Pam!
What I like about this story, and about the Jacob/Esau story and so many others is that it so clearly demonstrates God's sovereignty. It's not just something automatically passed down from father to son (like a monarchy) - it was God's choice. And not based on anything they had done. Simply God's gracious choice.
Great observation about Joseph backing off and allowing God's plan to unfold Tammi! Very unlike previous generations. And once again, so indicative of Joseph's character.
I can't remember if it was in today's reading or yesterday's - but one thing that jumped out at me that I had never noticed before, was that Jacob blessed Pharaoh - I just think that's really cool.
I caught that this time, too, Tammy. I thought it was an incredible sign of respect for Joseph to want his boss, the KING OF ALL EGYPT, to meet his father, a lowly shepherd ~ a vocation despised by Egyptians for some reason (at least according to the notes in my Bible!). A lesser man might have been embarassed about his father's occupation, station in life, or nationality, but not Joseph. And then for Jacob to bless Pharaoh TWICE ~ once when they were first introduced and then again after Pharaoh granted them prime grazing land ~ is just so amazing. And in a sense, God had already granted Jacob's blessing on Pharaoh ~ JOSEPH was that blessing. As long as Joseph was around and serving him, Pharaoh and Egypt prospered.
This is just such a COOL STORY!!
And because He does things how He wants to do it, gives us hope in hopeless situations. Who knows how He will do it this time, or next time? Just because things look one way, doesn't mean they will turn out a particular way. What hope!
I tell my kids time and time again that things can change, and past does not need to dictate present or future ... yet how often do I heed that same sentiment? Not often enough! I keep trying to remind myself that all things happen for a reason, even if it isn't evident at the time.
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