THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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The little boy asked his dad, "Why do you have that white hair in your head?"
Dad responded, "Because of all the worry you have caused me."
The son thought a minute, then asked, "Is that why Grandpa's head is FULL of white hair?"
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Gen 48:1-6
1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
KJV
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When Joseph learned of his father's illness, he took his two sons to visit. Children should honor their parents all their lives. And parents should be sure that their children honor the grandparents. When grandchildren visit they give joy and comfort to the grandparents.
Notice that Jacob does a very commendable thing. He "strengthened himself" to prepare for their visit. In other words, Jacob put aside his discomfort to focus upon ministering to his people.
Do we?
Jacob pointed out that "God Almighty" had visited Him; El Shaddai, the God of all power and authority. Now Joseph already had a great faith in God, evidenced by his stand for morality even in strenuous trials. But it is good for parents to point children to "the God of all power and authority."
Jacob changed his hands when Joseph was trying to be sure that the oldest (Manasseh) was receiving the "right hand" of his father. Jacob knew that Ephraim would grow to be the stronger. Jacob's statement in verse 5 is a notice of legal adoption. These two boys of Joseph would become as sons of Jacob, and would receive the headship of Jacob's family!
Jacob also added a proviso in the adoption. If Joseph had more sons, they would be part of Ephraim and Manasseh's families. As far as we know, Joseph had no more sons. However, Jacob had foreseen the possibility and gave specific directions to avoid later contestation.
**Christian parents (and grandparents) should point their children to "the God of all Power," our Lord, Jesus Christ Who is the Creator and Redeemer of all mankind. This is the greatest of all inheritances.
**Christians parents (and grandparents) should put aside discomfort and minister to their children.
**Christian parents (and grandparents) should make provisions in their wills to limit squabbling after their decease.
Love ya,
Bruce