The Blessing of Weakness

Genesis 48:12-14

¹²Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. ¹³And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. ¹⁴And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn).

(ESV)

Thought:
It was common practice for a blessing to be given to the sons by the laying on of hands. So also the greater blessing was often conferred onto someone by the right hand, the dominant hand. Just as we say, right-hand man, the 2IC, the blessing from the right hand was the better blessing.

Joseph instinctively placed Manasseh by his father’s right hand as he was the firstborn. But Jacob crosses his hands over, placing his right hand on Ephraim the younger son.

In the future both tribes would be prominent and powerful in the nation of Israel, but Ephraim would be the greatest, eventually leading the northern kingdom to split from the tribe of Judah and the Davidic monarchy. They would become great in worldly terms but they would lead Israel into apostasy and idolatry.

They were blessed with power, might and prominence, but was that true blessing in the end, what does Jesus say…

Matthew 5:5

⁵“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

(ESV)

Weakness is the true blessing, not power and might, for they lead us to trust in ourselves. But to us Jesus has become our strength, we do not need to be. We can be nothing because in him we have everything. The great blessing of being weak is that it draws you back to God, humbles you beneath his feet.

Ephraim rose up and became a great and mighty people, but because of their rebellion God used a mightier power to wipe their kingdom from the face of the earth. But that is not the end of the story, there remains hope for the Jews, for those of the tribes of Israel who trusted in their own strength and righteousness to turn to God and recognise their need for his righteousness.

God blesses us with weakness that we might be strong in him. Do not desire the blessing of strength and prosperity, desire to be blessed with that which draws you more deeply toward God.

Reflection:
As I go about my day, I need to be careful what kind of blessing I desire. It is easy to look for strength, success, influence, or recognition, assuming these things will bring happiness and security. Yet God often uses weakness, limitation, and dependence to draw me closer to Himself. Today I need to apply this by embracing the areas where I feel insufficient rather than resenting them. Those weaknesses may be one of God's greatest gifts, teaching me to rely on His strength instead of my own. A deeper relationship with God is worth far more than any earthly success I could achieve on my own.

Prayer:
Father, help me desire the blessings that draw me closer to You rather than those that encourage self-reliance. Teach me to trust Your strength in my weakness and to find my security in You alone. Keep me humble, dependent, and thankful for the ways You shape my heart through every season of life. Amen.