Jacob, nearly blind, embraces Ephraim and Manasseh and crosses his hands to place the greater blessing on the younger, Ephraim. Though Joseph protests, Jacob insists, foreseeing Ephraim’s future prominence. He blesses them with words reflecting a life guided by God, capturing the trust and wisdom he gained through his struggles. Despite his frailty, Jacob’s blessing is marked by spiritual strength and clarity.

It reads in Genesis 48:8-16 Easy: Joseph brought Ephraim and Manasseh to his father, Jacob. Jacob asked him, ‘Who are these boys?’ Joseph replied, ‘They are the sons that God has given to me here in Egypt.’ Then Israel said, ‘Bring them near to me so that I can bless them.’ Jacob’s eyes had become weak because he was very old. He was almost blind. So, Joseph brought his sons near to his father. His father kissed them and hugged them. Jacob said to Joseph, ‘I never thought that I would see you again. But now God has let me see your children too.’ Then Joseph removed his sons from Jacob’s knees. He bent down low, with his face towards the ground. He took his two sons near to Jacob. With his right hand, he put Ephraim beside Jacob’s left hand. With his left hand, he put Manasseh beside Jacob’s right hand. Jacob then put out his right hand. But he put it on Ephraim’s head, even though Ephraim was the younger son. Jacob crossed his arms so that he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head. Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn son. Then Jacob blessed Joseph. He said,

‘May God bless these two boys.
He is the God that my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, served.
Like a shepherd takes care of his sheep,
God has taken care of me all my life, until this day.
He is the Angel who has kept me safe.
I pray that he will bless these boys.
I pray that, because of them, people will remember my name,
and the names of my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac.
I pray that they will have many descendants who live all over the earth.’

Father God, You have given me a mind to remember, to ponder Your promises, to bless with clarity as a gift. Let my thoughts rise like incense, prayers whispered in the quiet for the ones I love.

As Jacob knew what human eyes could not, teaching me to speak blessing beyond what is seen. May wisdom dwell richly in me, guiding each thought for my children as light on their path. I pray from the mind You made, not just in times of crisis, but in the hush of every day. May Your Spirit fill my thoughts with mercy, that my children and others may be known by grace and flourish in Your care as woven with love and a deep truth, the kind that doesn’t shout, but quietly bears witness to our prayers in Jesus Precious Name Amen and Amen.