When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.” (Genesis 48:17-19)
Back in the day, there was a saying linked with working through people and their numbered position.
First the worst, second the best
Third the one with the hairy chest
Obviously there was no one third in this situation, but whether it’s Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob or now Manesseh and Ephraim, there’s something intriguing about the relationship between the first and the second.
Indeed in the larger picture of first and seconds it wasn’t the first Adam that brought in the way to life, it was the perfect life of the Second Adam that was found to be pleasing in the sight of the Father. It was not the first life that we have that’s the one that lasts, it’s the new life in Christ that truly lasts.
Seeing Joseph displeased at what his Dad does is also interesting seeing as though Joseph favoured as he was, did not have the position of the firstborn son. What the episode also reinforces is that the order of the way we do things is not something that chains down God. For His glory, He will see His plan revealed in unusual ways to us, but in perfect order for him.
Often like Joseph we can be a bit bemused or put out by how God chooses to bless. As if we need to tell God the order and manner in which He blesses. Yet even the long and winding journey of the family of Abraham shows that trusting His way of doing things rather than yielding to fear works out better.
However He chooses to bless it is important to go with it, rather than seeking what we believe to be best.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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