A tale of two sons
The scriptures point to Jesus New Living Translation "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! John 5:39
Old Testament stories pointing to Jesus Abraham sacrifice his only son Moses a great leader and deliverer Esther save her people from death Samson sacrifice his life for his people
A tale of two sons Genesis 48:1-2
Bible names have meanings Manesseh Older son Manasseh [N] [E] [S] forgetfulness; he that is forgotten Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names. Ephraim Younger son Ephraim [N] [H] [S] double fruitfulness ("for God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction"). The second son of Joseph, born
Verses 8, 9
The Birth right of the oldest child Double portion of the inheritance 2/3 Head of the family Priest of the family Redeemer would come through his line Special blessing
Verses 10-13
The right hand in scripture Psalm 17:7 salvation Psalm 48:10 righteousness Psalm 98:1 victory Isaiah 62:8 strength Lamentation 2:3 - protection Luke 22:69 God s power Matthew 25:34, 41 inherit the kingdom of heaven
Verse 14
Verse 17, 18 17 But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim s head to Manasseh s head. 18 No, my father, he said. This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.
Verses 19, 20
Jacob crossed his hands deliberately! guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. World English Bible guiding his hands with understanding; for Manasseh was the firstborn. Jubilee Bible 2000 guiding his hands by design; for Manasseh was the first-born. Websters Bible Translation
What s the big deal? 1) EVERYTHING Manasseh deserved was given to Ephraim 2) EVERYTHING Ephraim deserved was given to Manasseh Think about it.
The scriptures point to Jesus New Living Translation "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! John 5:39
Application It points to a bigger story about our heavenly Father who made a decision to cross His hands on Jesus and us!
When God Crossed His hands Jesus our older brother (Hebrews 2:17) You and I the younger son (1 John 3:1-3)
What was the result of the cross? 1)EVERYTHING we deserved was given to Jesus (Isaiah 53:4-6) 2)EVERYTHING Jesus deserved was given to us
Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. "With His stripes we are healed. (Desire of Ages p25)
God crossed His hands deliberately! Condemned Clothed with MY sins Died the death that I deserved Justified Clothed with His righteousness Receive the life that He deserved
It goes deeper... When God crossed His hands, when He laid His left hand on Jesus and His right hand on you, He didn t just transfer/switch the blessing, He also transferred/switched your life history!
Adultery, murder, deceit 8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that ONLY which was right in mine eyes; (1 Kings 14:8)
2 Corinthians 5:21 Adulterer Deceiver Murderer kept my commandments, followed me with all his heart, do that ONLY which was right in mine eyes; (1 Kings 14:8)
Appeal Salvation Righteousness Protection Power Strength Victory Jesus life to stands in place of yours
Appeal New International Version See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1)