Bible Study Online Article
After Jacob had asked Joseph to promise, that he would bury him in the land of Canaan; alongside his progenitors Abraham and Isaac. We find, that we are drawing near Jacob's last hour. It's at this moment from within the Sacred Record, that we are told that Jacob has become ill. Because of these turn of events, a report is sent to Joseph: "Your father is ill." After Joseph had heard this report, he took time off from his official duties; when it came to the Egyptian kingdom, and went to go see his father. Joseph would also, take along his two sons -- Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob was more than Joseph's father, he was also a great patriarch; and it's only fitting that Joseph take his sons Manasseh and Ephraim, not only to see their grandfather; but to see a man of tremendous greatness. For we must understand, that Jacob had a wonderful heart, and the love that his heart contained, was enormous. For he loved his father Isaac, even when Isaac attention was fixed on his brother Esau; he loved his mother, to where he followed her deceptive plan; when it came to obtaining a "birthright" that had already belonged to him. Sure, Esau in the traditional sense; held the rightful position, when it came to being the recipient. But God had already told Rebekah that the true honor; would belong to Jacob. With her knowing this, Rebekah made the mistake of trying to take things upon herself to make it happen; and with the love that Jacob had for his mother, he made the mistake of going along with his mother's plan. It was the great love that he had for Rachel; that gave him the focus, and determination to work fourteen years for the right to marry her. Understand that those fourteen years that he worked for Rachel's father, were unfair and somewhat of a torment. Oh, how hard it must have been for him, to be so close; and yet, so far from Rachel -- the one that he loved, with all his heart. It was this same love, that caused him to fall into a sorrowful state; after she died giving birth to her second child, Benjamin. Now that love, would cause Jacob to latch on to Rachel's first son, Joseph: for he would become Jacob's favorite. But when Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, and Jacob was deceived; into thinking, that he had been killed by a wild beast; it was that same love, that would cause Jacob to lose site of God. All his life, Jacob fought hard and tried his best to hang on; and to get the attention, of the people that touched his heart; and suffered painfully, when they were ripped from his life and loving heart. You see, I won't criticize Jacob for the mistakes he made, sure he was wrong; but he was also human. If you were to look closely, at each situation -- in which, Jacob made the wrong decision; you would see, that his decisions was based off the love that was in his heart, and not malice. Does "having love" make it right? Does "having love" justify his actions? Of course not! But in spite of that, I stand by my viewpoint; that Jacob was a good man. Oh yes, in fact -- Jacob was a great man, and it's only fitting that Manasseh, and Ephraim should be honored to meet with such a person. Jacob reminds Joseph about the Abrahamic Covenant. Jacob also speaks about the day Rachel died. Jacob speaks the first part of his blessing that concerns Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob claims Joseph's sons as his own, and makes them part of the twelve tribes. We will take a closer look and see how their direct addition to the family will effect the twelve tribes overall.
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 102) Jacob the Stunned & Delighted 105) Israel's Blessing to Pharaoh 107) The Promise Between Father & Son 108) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 109) Jacob Adds Manasseh and Ephraim 110) Jacob Places Ephraim Before Manasseh 111) Joseph's Expectation and Disappointment 112) The Promise Covenant with Humanity 113) The Prophecy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi 115) The Tribe of Kings 116) Representation of the Scepter 117) The Importance of the Sanhedrin 118) The Gathering of the People  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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