The Sunday School Lesson
Bestowing a Blessing

GEN. 48:11 And Is'ra-el said unto Jo'seph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

12 And Jo'seph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

13 And Jo'seph took them both, E'phra-im in his right hand toward Is'ra-el's left hand, and Manas'seh in his left hand toward Is'ra-el's right hand, and brought them near unto him.

14 And ls'ra-el stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon E'phraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Ma-nas'seh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Ma-nas'seh was the firstborn.

15 And he blessed Jo'seph, and said, God, before whom my fathers A'bra-ham and I'saac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers A'braham and I'saac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

17 And when Jo'seph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of E'phra-im, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from E'phra-im's head unto Manas'seh's head.

18 And Jo'seph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

HEART OF THE LESSON

This quarter's lessons have been spiritually enlightening. Studying how God created a people has been very refreshing. It is always good to be reminded of God's power in creation and His sovereignty.

God is awesome! The earth is filled with His splendor and majesty. Let us continue to worship God, the Creator and Sustainer of life. He is worthy.

1. A far greater blessing (Gen. 48:11-12). Joseph had been taken away from his family when he was a boy. He had been sold as a slave and taken to Egypt. Jacob, his father, had not expected to see him again. His other sons deceived him, making him think Joseph was dead. Joseph was kept alive because of God's divine intervention. God is in control of our lives. Even when situations seem hopeless, we can always trust Him to help us.

When Jacob saw Joseph again, he was married and had two sons. You can probably, imagine Jacob's excitement to know that his son was alive. Jacob was blessed to see not only his son Joseph but also the sons of Joseph.

2. A spiritual heritage (Gen. 48:13-15). Joseph was told that his father was sick. He took his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, with him to see his father.

The aged Jacob told Joseph how God had appeared to him at Luz and blessed him. God had promised to make him fruitful and to multiply his descendants He would make of him a multitude of people. Jacob also told Joseph about God's promise to give the land of Canaan to his family (Gen. 48:4). A spiritual heritage is more valuable than money. It is important to make our children aware of both God's spiritual blessings and His natural blessings. We should also testify to others about God's goodness. Our testimonies about God can help encourage others.

Joseph showed respect to his father by bowing before him in the presence of his children. Jacob offered to bestow a blessing on Ephraim and Manasseh. There are other instances in the Bible showing the father blessing his children.

Joseph directed Manasseh toward his father's right hand, for he was the firstborn. He directed Ephraim to his left hand. Customarily, the firstborn was to receive the greater blessing. This was acknowledged by laying the right hand on his head. But Jacob laid his right hand on Ephraim's head and his left hand on Manasseh's head to bless them. Joseph was not pleased at what he probably thought was a mistake, but God had revealed to Jacob that the older son would serve the younger one. Again, God's sovereignty is shown. We must accept the will of God.

3. God's constant presence (Gen. 48:16-19). Jacob knew God's presence was with him and his fathers. God had fed him and kept him from all evil. Jacob prayed for -the same blessings upon Ephraim and Manasseh.

Parents are obligated to pray for their children. Prayer is needed for God's protection upon them and for His continued blessings for them. We should also teach our children by example of the importance of prayer.

God is present in our lives today. Parents should teach their children to be grateful for God's presence in their lives. Many generations have passed, and God never changes. Just as our forefathers were blessed by God to have their needs met, so we too can depend on God to supply our needs.

QUESTIONS

1. How did Jacob feel about getting to see Joseph once again? 2. How did Jacob place his hands on Joseph's sons? Why did he do this?

3. How did Joseph feel about his father placing his right hand on his younger son? What did he do?

4. What other examples do we have of younger sons being preferred over the older?

(Reprinted by permission of The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society and Union Gospel Press, P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101)