INTRODUCTION: Precious indeed was the testimony and blessing of this aged saint. With mature faith he reflected upon life's trials and joys. These reveries of a dying man were the fruit of faith [Hebrews 11:21]. By this faith he had maintained an attitude of thankfulness through a life of dangers and perplexities.

Surely Joseph's sons always remembered this time. Young people need exposure to such veterans in God's kingdom.

I. OLD AGE - verses 1-2. Faith alone can make an old man see God's hand in both the trials and blessings of his past life. There seemed to be in Jacob's speech an attitude of profound gratitude so missing in the lives of most elderly. He saw his remaining mission on earth as that of testifying to the faithfulness of God. Truly old age is a blessing to such a person.

II. THE MEMORIES THAT MATTER - verses 3-4.
Dying men speak of that which is truly important to them. Here Jacob gave testimony to Joseph of God's grace. As he looked back it was the times when God visited him that really stand out [Genesis 28:10-22]. To Jacob, the promises of God given in those times, was the north star by which he guided his life. These same promises had been made to Abraham and Isaac. These men all lived on the promise even though it was never fulfilled in their lifetime [Hebrews 11:13].

Every student should make personal application of these truths. Have you ever met God? Will your last days find you remembering the times that God was especially near? Are God's promises your most cherished possession?

III. WORDS OF FAITH - verses 5-6.
A. Here Jacob in a sense adopted Joseph's sons. Each of these two grandchildren would become a tribe in Israel just as would the other sons of Jacob. Through them Joseph received the double portion that normally went to the eldest. Reuben lost this because of his sin [I Chronicles 5:1]. Both Reuben and Simeon were mentioned because both had highly displeased Jacob.

The words of verse 6 were spoken to correct any future misunderstanding. Should Joseph have other children they would not become separate tribes, but have part in the tribes of Ephraim or Manasseh. Joseph would have a double portion but no more.

B. Consider the faith that Jacob here manifested in God's promises. He began to divide the land before Israel ever possessed it. Truly faith is the victory [I John 5:4; Hebrews 11:13]. Consider also the value that faith placed upon God's promises. Joseph was a prince in Egypt but his real inheritance was a double portion in Canaan.

IV. BITTERSWEET MEMORIES - verse 7.
Perhaps the presence of Joseph caused Jacob to remember his mother's death. She was the love of Jacob's life and the only wife he ever intended to have. Had Jacob's plan to marry only Rachel materialized, then Joseph would truly have been the firstborn. Maybe Rachel was therefore mentioned as partial justification for giving Joseph the double portion. At any rate, the memory was one of sorrow as well as joy to Jacob. Like all saints he knew he would see her again.

V. JACOB'S BLESSING - verses 8-22.
A. A Thankful Heart - verses 8-11.
Note well how Jacob rejoiced in God's goodness. In verse 11, he mentioned that God's blessing had exceeded his expectation. Happy is the man whose heart bursts with gratitude to God.

B. Blessing Our Descendants - verse 9.
All Christians should feel a desire for the well-being of their children and descendants. May we remember that the only true blessing we can pass on is that of a godly testimony and prayer in their behalf. These boys were born with all the treasures of Egypt at their feet, yet the blessing of God was what they needed. What a scene of faith! The world's glitter meant nothing as the blessing was bestowed. To hold the promise, to be blessed by the aged prophet, to be associated with the despised shepherds, that was everything.

C. Crossed Hands - verses 13-20.
Joseph was displeased because Jacob placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim rather than on Manasseh the first born. Jacob explained that this was done knowingly as Ephraim would be the greater tribe.

In the bestowal of blessings, God's hands are often crossed. This shows that grace does not follow the line of nature [John 1:13]. God does not follow our expectations. He is sovereign, grace is optional, and His blessings are distributed as He sees fit [Romans 9:15-16]. Jacob understood these things well [Romans 9:10-13].

D. Jacob or Israel.
Notice in our present chapter as in other parts of Genesis that the names Jacob and Israel are both used. The variation is never an accident. Jacob is a weak man, a supplanter, a worm [Isaiah 41:14]. Israel is a prince. When Jacob's faith is strong and active we see him referred to as Israel. Does this not remind us of the ups and downs, the two natures of God's people.

E. Great Is Thy Faithfulness - vs.15-16.
When Jacob remembered how God had blessed him, he could believe that God would bless his descendants. What a wonderful testimony as Jacob reflected over his life. The trials, the heartbreaks, the seventeen years of mourning were remembered . As he thought of God's faithfulness through it all his heart raised in praise to God for His great purpose and providence.

This gave him hope for the future. (Note that the Angel in verse 16 is the "Angel of the Lord." This Angel is God Himself manifest to men in the Old Testament).

F. A Gift Of Love - verses 21-22.
Israel was dying but his faith was strong. He knew that God would bring the nation back to Canaan. When this occurred the land he had purchased there would be a special gift to Joseph's descendants [Genesis 33:19; Joshua 24:32]. Verse 22 evidently refers to a skirmish over the land not recorded in Scripture.

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