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Genesis 48:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

We are admitted into the inner chamber of the patriarch's departing life, and we see there the presence of Jehovah with him. He is—

1. The subject of inspiration.

2. The mediator of the Divine promises. He is under the control of purposes which have been swaying him all his life.

3. A witness to Divine faithfulness. The grandfather blessing the grandchildren. The blessing passes on to the third and fourth generation. Yet the human blessing is only the type of the Divine.

"The angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the lads." Jacob made a cross with his hands over the heads of the boys. It displeased Joseph, but it pleased God. The imposition of hands is also here. The name of Jacob is named upon them, the symbol of the covenant. Their prosperity is predicted, but it is connected immediately with their covenant standing. The elevated state of mind in the patriarch is a testimony to the sustaining power of religion in fleshly weakness. It points on too to the survival of the soul after the death of the body. The preference of Ephraim reminds us that all is ascribed to the grace of God.—R.

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HOMILIES BY J.F. MONTGOMERY

The threefold blessing.

Though the doctrine of the Trinity is not revealed in the Old Testament with the same clearness as in the New Testament, the light of the gospel reveals many indications of it. In , , the "name" of God is put upon the children of Israel in a triple formula. A name suggests what we know of the person named. The "name" of God is what he has revealed concerning himself (cf. ; ). The threefold benediction of (cf. ; ) answers to the apostolic benediction of . And Jacob's solemn blessing of his grandsons in a threefold name of God, answers to the formula of Christian baptism () into (εἰς) the name of the Trinity; while the word "bless," being in the singular, points to the unity of the Godhead. Whether the distinction of the Persons was known to Jacob matters little to us, if we believe that" these things were written for our learning." His prophetic blessing speaks to us of Fatherhood, Sanctification, Redemption, the blessings which we refer to the three Persons. The order of the two last is different from that which we usually observe; but cf. . "God before whom my fathers did walk." The well-spring of all grace and source of all blessing. Of his own inherent love, caring for us (). His purpose, that we should rejoice in hope (); having communion with him here (, ), the foretaste of eternal joy. Creation the proof of this good will (). The infinity of his power, and minuteness of his care. The application of this to us (). The Bible and nature agree in declaring God's fatherhood. On this rests the call to walk before him (; ), which can be obeyed only through belief of his fatherhood and love (). Therefore he gives the spirit of adoption (), the personal application of the general truth of his love, whereby we realize our position as children by grace (). "The God which fed me." The Holy Ghost imparts to men the bread of life.

1. Historically. By his agency the eternal Son became incarnate to give his flesh as the living bread.

2. Practically. By his power we are fed. Christ's work is applied to our conscience (); we receive the food of our souls. This is the way of sanctification. It cannot be enforced by rules or penalties. However these may constrain outward observance, they cannot bring about the surrender of the will, the desire "Thy will be done," which is the principle of holiness. "The angel which redeemed me from all evil." Reminded of , and probably some such idea was in Jacob's mind. But there is a foresight of Christ, the Angel of the covenant (), in whom God's name is (); of a redemption going far beyond earthly danger; "all evil" From sin and all its fruits of sorrow Christ redeemed us (; ). Jacob, from his own experience, knew that "God is faithful." To us, a wider view of deliverance is given. And the pledge of God's faithfulness is ; and the assurance that it gives us 1Jn 6:2.—M.

Genesis 47

Genesis

Genesis 49

Genesis 48 - genesis-48 - worlddic.com

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Matthew Henry on Genesis 48:1-7Genesis 48:1-7 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe death-beds of believers, with the prayers and counsels of dying persons, are suited to make serious impressions upon the young, the gay, and the prosperous: we shall do well to take children on such occasions, when…Jacob's Last Illness. (b. c. 1689.)Genesis 48:1-7 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJACOB'S LAST ILLNESS. (B. C. 1689.) Here, I. Joseph, upon notice of his father's illness, goes to see him; though a man of honour and business, yet he will not fail to show this due respect to his aged father, Genesis 4…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1-22Genesis 48:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1Genesis 48:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd it came to pass after these things (i.e. the events recorded in the preceding chapter, and in particular after the arrangements which had been made for Jacob's funeral), that one told Joseph,—the verb וַיֹּאמֶר is h…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1-22Genesis 48:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryJacob's dying utterances. I. AN OLD MAN'S SICK-BED. "It came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick." In this the venerable patriarch— 1. Suffered an experience that is common to al…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 48:1-7The death-beds of believers, with the prayers and counsels of dying persons, are suited to make serious impressions upon the young, the gay, and the prosperous: we shall do well to take children on such occasions, when…Matthew HenrycommentaryJacob's Last Illness. (b. c. 1689.)JACOB'S LAST ILLNESS. (B. C. 1689.) Here, I. Joseph, upon notice of his father's illness, goes to see him; though a man of honour and business, yet he will not fail to show this due respect to his aged father, Genesis 4…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1-22EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1And it came to pass after these things (i.e. the events recorded in the preceding chapter, and in particular after the arrangements which had been made for Jacob's funeral), that one told Joseph,—the verb וַיֹּאמֶר is h…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:1-22Jacob's dying utterances. I. AN OLD MAN'S SICK-BED. "It came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick." In this the venerable patriarch— 1. Suffered an experience that is common to al…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:2And one told Jacob ( וַיַּגֵּד, also used impersonally, like וַיֹּאמֶר in Genesis 48:1), and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel—the significance of this change of name it is impossible to overlook…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 48:7And as for me (literally, and I, the pronoun being emphatic), when I came from Padan,—literally, in my coming, i.e. while on my journey, from Padam, or Padan-aram. This is the only place where the shorter designation is…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 48:8-22The two good men own God in their comforts. Joseph says, They are my sons whom God has given me. Jacob says, God hath showed me thy seed. Comforts are doubly sweet to us when we see them coming from God's hand. He not o…Matthew Henry