Jacob’s dealing with his two grandsons is fascinating. Jacob begins by reminding Joseph of God’s promises to him at Bethel (Luz) (v3-4). He then says that in regards the inheritance of the land, Joseph’s two sons will be regarded as Jacob’s sons having equal shares (v5-6). This is what happened; sometimes in recording the tribes of Israel Manasseh and Ephraim are regarded as one tribe but at other times they are regarded as two tribes with Levi not counting as they didn’t inherit land as the other tribes did.

In blessing Joseph’s two sons, Jacob switches his hands to put his right on the younger one Ephraim to give the greater blessing (v12-20). Joseph is not happy about this but Jacob is determined this is the way it will be. Ephraim would become the most dominant northern tribe and when Israel was split in two the northern kingdom was sometimes called Ephraim.

In Jacob’s actions we have a picture of what God does between Christ and the believer. Jesus deserves the Father’s blessing and we deserve the Father’s cursing. But God swaps hands and Jesus who had no sin becomes sin to receive the Father’s wrath and we the sinful receive Jesus’ righteousness and blessing (2 Cor. 5 v21). Amazing love and grace! Pray about this!