A Weekly Meditation of Pastor Chang (October 25, 2009)

<The Characteristics of Spiritual Leaders> (44)

(The Greatest Statesman in the Human History – The Life of Joseph in the Bible) (8)

The conclusion of many fairytale stories is always like this: “Since then, the prince and the princess happily live together forever.” We all know that it is not true in real human life, but only a utopian ideal; because after the Fall of Adam and Eve, struggles and conflicts are always with human life. However, we still have a very true hope in Christ when He comes again – in heaven, we believe, the true peace will come.

After Joseph joyfully welcomed his entire family – his father Jacob and his brothers’ entire households moved from Canaan to Egypt (they had 70 men, but if including women and children were over 100.) By the promise and grace of the king of Egypt, Pharaoh gave them the best pasture land – Goshen to live. If the story ended here, we probably could say, “Since then, the entire family live together happily forever.” But it was not true, because when the story goes, some good things happened but some bad issues occurred too.

Of course when Jacob was still alive with his children, they really enjoyed the best life together with plenty of materials. God protected them well. They became more prosperous. But Jacob only lived for another 17 years after moving to live in Egypt – that was the most satisfactory life that he ever had before. The time finally came for him to die when he was 147 years old.

Before his death, Jacob blessed his beloved son Joseph first, then, he told Joseph that he would take Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to be counted as his another 11 sons and received the father’s blessings. And he also instructed Joseph: never buried him in Egypt but in their family cemetery located in Canaan. This kind of burial concept is very similar with a Chinese tradition which we called: “Let the fallen leafs go back to their roots.”

The story of Jacob’s blessing to Joseph’s two sons was interesting. When Joseph put his older son, Manasseh, on his father’s right hand side and his second son, Ephraim, on his father’s left hand side to receive blessings; his father Jacob crossed his arms, he put his right hand on Ephraim and left hand on Manasseh. And Joseph tried to correct it but Jacob did not allow, because he intentionally to bless the second son of Joseph on the top of the first son. Why? The Bible did not tell us the reason and Jacob did not explain either. But we can guess. I think there are at least three reasons.

First of all, Jacob preferred Ephraim more over Manasseh because of their names. “Manasseh” means “forget” – forget the pain in the past and forget his father’s household because of the past suffering. I guess that Jacob did not like this name because he also suffered this kind of pain too. He did not like the first born son of Joseph which carried this name – “pain” in the future of Joseph’s family. Furthermore, Jacob was also a second son who assumed the first son’s blessings and position. Finally, Ephraim’s name is good. It means, “Prosperity.” Everyone likes it. I feel that to name names for our children is important, because it will carry on our past memories and their future destinies.

Afterwards, before his death, Jacob continued to bless his 12 sons. Of course, his blessings were according to his observation of his sons’ daily life and their behaviors. For example, his first born son Reuben supposed to get more but he did not get much because of his misconduct. Jacob gave Judah, the fourth son, a very good blessing. Even in the words of his blessings indicated that Judah’s descendents would become kings.

What can we give to our children, after reading the story of Jacob’s blessings to his sons? It is worthy for us to ponder more. Many ancient Israelites, Chinese and other groups of people believe that parents’ blessings or curses will always come true somehow. I personally think so too, because of two reasons: First of all, we human beings are like God that whatever the word we say will have a certain power to carry it out. Furthermore, Satan will take advantage when we say bad word or curse as the ground to curse people. Therefore, I believe what St. Paul says is right: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Rm. 12:14) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice…” (Eph. 4: 29-32) May the Lord bless us all!

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