Elevated Through Our Elder Brother

Genesis 48:1-6

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

^48:1After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. ²And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. ³And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, ⁴and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ ⁵And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. ⁶And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.

(ESV)

Thought:
How many tribes were there in Israel, often it is said there were 12, and while true when counting the number of land allotments given to the 12 tribes when the return to the promised land some 400 years later. It doesn’t include the levites who don’t have a lot in the promised land, because they serve as priests scattered throughout the kingdom of Israel.

You actually have 13 tribes in total, because of this event here in Genesis. Joseph is given a double portion, often meant for the firstborn, and it is given in the form of both of his sons becoming like sons to Jacob, they shall both receive a portion each for their descendents in the promised land.

There is no tribe of Joseph but rather the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Why is this important? Well you see it points to an incredible spiritual truth, we have been elevated to the state of brothers with Jesus. Jesus rightfully receives his inheritance but by virtue of our connection to him through faith, we are elevated to the position of son of God as well.

Jacob says “Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.”
br>God says “You shall be mine, as Jesus is mine.”

It does not speak of their deserving or being worthy of receiving this portion from Jacob, it doesn’t say they were the best behaved grand-children. It is purely through their connection to their father that they are elevated. So it is purely through our faith in our elder brother, Jesus. That we are elevated as he is.

You will receive an eternal kingdom, a heavens and earth with no imperfection at all, no spot or blemish, no sin at all. All because your elder brother Jesus has made a way for you to enter into this eternal kingdom and he gives it freely as a gift.

So remember you ought to be the little runt of the family, no one cares about and is forgotten about. But in Jesus we have been elevated to the rank of firstborn, worthy, children of God.

Reflection:
Today I need to resist measuring my worth by my performance, achievements, or failures. So often I live as though I must earn God’s acceptance, yet my place in His family rests on what Jesus has done for me, not on what I have done for Him. As I go about my day, I can apply this truth by approaching God with confidence rather than fear and gratitude rather than insecurity.

In my decisions today, I want to remember that I am not an outsider trying to gain a place in God’s house. I am His child through Christ. This gives me freedom to obey Him out of love, not obligation. When I am tempted to doubt my value or significance, I can remind myself that God has already given me a place in His family and an eternal inheritance through Jesus.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family through Jesus and giving me an inheritance I could never earn. Help me to live today with confidence in Your love and not in my own performance. When I am tempted to doubt my worth or seek acceptance elsewhere, remind me that I belong to You. Help me walk as Your child with gratitude, trust, and obedience. Amen.