Genesis Chapter 48

Jacob was a man who always had an eye to his own advantage. He always wanted an agreement, so that he might get the best of it. But very often people of this kind do not get on any better than others.

He could trust the Lord as far as he could see Him, The church is full of Jacobs at the present time; and a great many people seem to think they get on better if they are worldly-minded. They think it is a sign of prosperity if they can only secure the good things of earth, and yet get to heaven. That is about as high as most people get. They just barely get to heaven, and that is all. But they want to have a good time down here upon earth, and make the most of this world

Luz = "almond tree“ Jer 1: Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." 12 Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."

Younger vs. Older Cain Ishmael Esau Zerah Manasseh First Adam Abel Isaac Jacob Perez Ephraim Second Adam

Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" Manasseh = "causing to forget"

Jacob knew that the younger Ephraim is going to become greater than Manasseh; his descendants shall become a multitude of nations. That was realized in the first census done in the time of Moses: Of the tribe of Ephraim, the number of names, from 20 years old and above, all who were able to go to war, were 40500; while those, of the tribe of Manasseh, were (Numbers 1: 32, 25). Also, the tribe of Manasseh lived divided, one half east of the Jordan, and the other half west of it; resulting in its weakness. Added to this, the mixing of the half dwelling east of the Jordan, with the pagan peoples, exposed them to idol worship, more than others (2 Chronicles 15: 9; 30: 1). As to Ephraim, it was strong, that the northern kingdom (Israel), was named after ‘Ephraim’. Out of that tribe, came Joshua (Hoshea), son of Nun (Numbers 13: 8); and they had an active role in the time of the Judges, in the days of the prophetess Deborah, Gideon, and Jephthah; and the prophet Samuel came from them (Judges 5; 8; 12; 1 Samuel 1)

St. Augustine: [As the two sons of Isaac -- Esau and Jacob were used as symbols of the Jew and Christian peoples... the same thing happened concerning Joseph’s two sons; the older one became a symbol of the Jews, and the younger of the Christians].

Israel then granted his son Joseph one portion above his brothers (Gen.48: 22), making him the firstborn, and counting his sons as two tribes; and gave him also a plot of land that he took from the hand of the Amorites with his sword and bow (Gen. 48: 22; and John 4: 5, 6)... ; Joseph also got the privilege of having his bones buried in the plot of ground, bought by his father (Joshua 24: 32).