Pastor Ralph Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob’s blessings an actual prophecy from God? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Joseph presented his sons to Jacob for blessing according to their birth order. Manasseh was to receive the right hand of blessing on the firstborn. But Jacob was led by Yahweh to pronounce that blessing on the younger son, Ephraim. Joseph may have thought his father was confused, but he certainly didn't like the change and reached out to stop him. Maybe he remembered all too well how much discord could be caused between brothers by such seemingly inappropriate preference. But Jacob stood firm and gently explained his decision to Joseph. This blessing was definitely prophetic. The two boys would both carry on the family line of Abraham, but the greater influence and fullness of the nation of Israel, including Messiah, would come through Ephraim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standing On the Rock Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 A2. Jacob is acting upon instructions from God Himself. He is doing his part in the fulfillment of the covenant between God and Abraham, between God and Isaac, and between himself and God. Just as Isaac through trickery gave the blessing to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Paul DiMino Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Psalms 2:4.Picture Joseph,carefully considering...,Normally,he would stand with his older son on his right,but,from the mirror image point of view of the person he was about to face,the younger son would be on the right,so,he reversed them...now the bible doesn't say that Jacob made the assumption that the boys position,relative to their earthly father needed to be reversed with respect to the mirror imaging effect,nor that such offerings had a protocol,in fact,we get the impression that Jacob received his grandsons,in his own words,"as sons",and received them,in his heart, from the hands of Our God.Was the prophesy he spoke known to him previously,or did he receive it,as he himself spoke the words ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okno Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Who knows. The most probable reason is that it was told him by Holy Spirit that he was a God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Jacob is blessing his grandsons in the power of the Holy Spirit, prophetically as the Lord has shown him....the youngest is to receive the blessing of the first born, rather than the eldest. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Joseph's expectation is that the first born should be at Jacob's right hand to receive the blessing of the first born. He seems to think Jacob "has lost it", and tries to get it done "right", but Jacob is hearing from God and does accordingly. In what sense are Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? What was done was no accident, for God had revealed this to Jacob. Joseph thought it was a mistake by Jacob, probably due to Jacob's failing eyesight (see vs. 10). However, what Joseph could not see with his good eyes, Jacob could see with his prophetic eyes. The Holy Spirit guided Jacob to cross his hands in an act of prophecy concerning the two tribes that would descend from Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob refused to change his hands, saying: "[Manasseh] 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" (vs. 19). Jacob, of course, was right. Ephraim became the chief tribe of the ten tribes in northern Israel. In fact, when the ten tribes in the north split from the two tribes in the south, the northern tribes were sometimes collectively called Ephraim. I am sure that Jacob himself did not mind giving this prophecy concerning the younger son of Joseph. Recall that Jacob himself was in the same position: he was the chosen of God to be a patriarch, but he was not the eldest son in his family. "This passing over the firstborn is one of the most striking features of the book of Genesis. So it was with Seth instead of Cain, Shem instead of Japheth, Abraham instead of Haran, Isaac instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau. God chooses whom He will, and often not as the world chooses. "Lest any one should glory in the flesh, He designedly illustrates His own free mercy, in choosing those who had no worthiness of their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WALT39 Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Jacob wanted to bless Joseph's youngest with his right hand and therefore confer the birthright to Ephraim. The same thing happens to Jacob and Esau, except that was done by deception. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Because he wanted his oldest to the receive the first born blessing and receive what was rightly his. Of course, Joseph was the youngest and he received the birthright over the oldest. In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? As Pastor Ralph noted in his commentary, "He is prophesying God's words, just as his father Isaac had "mistakenly" prophesied the correct blessing over Jacob instead of Esau" as was written in Genesis 27:27-29, So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness—an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iam4-1god Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? This unexpected crossing of Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janel Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Q2 Jacob crosses his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh because Jacob wants Ephraim to be greater than his brother Manasseh (the firstborn). This is exactly the replica of his life when his father Isaac blessed him instead of his brother Esau. Thinking that his father is sick and his eyes are so dim from age and could not see Joseph try to stop Jacob. The Spirit of God is directing Jacob in doing this way. He is prophesying God's words promised to him in Luz. A family traditional blessing from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob and now to Joseph and his two sons. Since his firstborn Reuben has forfeited the birthright, Joseph now holds over his brothers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standing On the Rock Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 A2. Jacob is acting upon instructions from God Himself. He is doing his part in the fulfillment of the covenant between God and Abraham, between God and Isaac, and between himself and God. Just as Isaac through trickery gave the blessing to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Jacob crosses his hands so that the right hand rests on Ephraim who is God's chosen one, and with his left hand he gives a different blessing to Manasseh. These blessings are prophesies and must be given to the right brother. Joseph tries to stop Jacob because he thinks his father has mistaken which boy is which. I think they are really God's blessings, and God used Jacob to speak them out. It was God's responsibility and decision as to which brother received the first-born blessing. Love from Greta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking His Face Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leihaynes Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob’s blessings an actual prophecy from God? 1. Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Because they were in the wrong position. Manasseh was on the right Ephraim on the left. It seems that the 1st blessings comes from the right hand so Jacob had to cross his hand in order to secure the blessing to Ephraim. 2. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Because thinks that his Dad is making a mistake. Which he believes the blessing should go to the elder son. 3. In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? He is prophesying what his dad had prophesied which came from God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriciaa Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) 1. Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? He has heard from God and is doing what God is showing him to do. Though we aren't told anywhere that the Spirit of God is upon him, that is surely what is happening. He is prophesying God's words, just as his father Isaac had "mistakenly" prophesied the correct blessing over Jacob instead of Esau. 2. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Joseph is "displeased." This isn't going the way he wants it to happen. Surely his aged father is confused. He takes his father's right hand to move it from younger Ephraim's head to firstborn Manasseh's head (48:17-18) and to correct his father. One must do these things properly! Old Jacob tenses his arms and refuses to let Joseph move them, and when he speaks, he speaks in a conciliatory way to his favorite son: "'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' ... so he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh." (48:19-20) 3. In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? Jacob 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' ... so he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh." (48:19-20) Jacob has heard this from God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Williams Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=952 Jacob crossed his hand when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh to showing the order of the blessing. Jacob wanted Joseph's two sons to inherit the blessing God gave to Abraham, Issac and himself. Joseph tries to stop him when he realized his father's right hand was on the younger son but Jacob knew what he was doing. Again God over turned the expected order of things. The older would serve the younger, just as Jacob himself has been elevated over his older brothers so long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Joseph set the boys next to Israel according to their birth, Manasseh he placed near his right Hand and he place Ephraim on his left, making it easy for Israel to bless them according to their birth; Israel had to purposely cross over his hands in order to give the blessings to the ones God deemed they go to. Q. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Joseph did not understand, God in His mercies had a different plan, the youngest was preferred by God over the eldest. Q.In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? Jacob was not confused as he crossed over his hands to give the blessing for he was directed by a spirit of prophecy as he spoke these words, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of Grace Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Jacob crossed his hands giving the blessing determined to the firstborn (right hand) to Ephraim who was in reality the second born. Joseph tries to stop Jacob as this was not right in his eyes. The older Manasseh was to receive that blessing. Perhaps he thought that Jacob in his old age did not realize what he was doing, yet it was indeed a prophetic announcement as God deemed the blessing to go to Ephraim as Jacob revealed in his revelation of things to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted March 3, 2010 Report Share Posted March 3, 2010 Jacob crosses his arms, I believe, because he was being directed by God. Joseph was upset because the elder always came before the younger. This blessing was a prophecy--and it, because it came from God, came true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 Jacob crosses his hand so as to place his right hand on Ephraim who was next to his left while his left hand was placed on Manasseh. Ordinarily, his rght hand was supposed to be placed on the first born, Manasseh. But God had ordained that it would be Ephraim who would be blessed as the fisrt born. joseph tried to stop him because he thought his father was too old and had forgotten that it was the first son who should be given the greater blessings. Jacob's blessings were actual prophessy from God because they were in line with God's blessings to Abraham, repeaeted for Isaac and Jacob. The blessings would go from generation to generation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane120164 Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 Genesis 48:13 says, "And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him." now matter what I do agree that it was GOD's will that Ephraim was to receive the first born blessing but there seems to be something about how Ephraim and Manasseh are placed at their father's side before being placed beside Jacob.........Jacob's eyesight was dim but no doubt he could see the two sons where they were at their dad's side and the switch that had taken place when Joseph moved them along his side....... the word 'displeased'(yara`)means to tremble, quiver - this is a little different than our English definition of displeased - although we may tremble when we are displeased. The questions I have have are many - I wait upon the HOLY SPIRIT to teach - praise GOD for HIS WORD - it is truly living...AMEN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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