Genesis 48 - 50

The End of the Patriarchs
We complete the reading of Genesis today - one book read and 65 to go.  The portion tells the story of Jacob/Israel's death and, in chapter 50, the death of Joseph.  This ends the patriarchal era of the Hebrews and sets the stage for the exodus and tribal Israel.

In chapter 48, Jacob adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as his own children, making them equal to his own sons in the blessing and inheritance.  When blessing them, he crosses his hands. Keep in mind that these two sons of Joseph have a Gentile mother.  The adoption and blessing through crossed hands was symbolic of the Gentiles being grafted in and blessed through the Cross of Christ.  They received the blessing through the cross before their Jewish brothers were blessed.

In chapter 50, Joseph has to reiterate his forgiveness and grace to his brothers.  Irrespective of what he had previously demonstrated to them, he still had to reassure them that all was forgiven and that his exile to Egypt was part of God's plan.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.