Friday 20 November 2026

Psalm 78:57-72

Background
These last four days we have traced the story of Joseph through its many convolutions. And now we come to its conclusions. Tomorrow we get to the very end with the death of Joseph himself, but today’s reading is part of the narrative concerning his father Jacob’s death.

It starts at Genesis 47:28 and runs all through chapter 48 before we get to today’s text. It’s an extended death-bed account centring on the blessings Jacob/Israel gives to Joseph and his two eldest sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Jacob takes into his line of descendants whereas Joseph’s later offspring, born after Jacob came to Egypt, are not. These details, affecting inheritance and identity are clearly very important to the compilers of the record, although they seem obscure to us. They relate to the later emergence of the 12 tribes (see Deuteronomy 27:12-13).

There’s mention of Joseph’s mother Rachel at Genesis 48:7, buried near Bethlehem. Her voice is heard wailing over her children following Herod’s murderous acts in the Christmas story (Matthew 2:18).

Today’s passage sees Jacob’s sons gathered round his bed. The old man embarks on something of a reckoning, starting with the faults of Reuben, the eldest son, and of Simeon and Levi. On Judah, however, he heaps praise. This corresponds to the later tribal structure of Israel (as Genesis 49:28 makes clear). Joseph gets by far the most fulsome blessing, at Genesis 49:22-26, having a double inheritance (see Genesis 48:22). This would normally be due to the eldest son, Reuben, but it’s denied him because of his adulterous behaviour with Rachel’s handmaiden Bilhah, the mother of some of Jacob’s sons (Genesis 49:4). Joseph’s share is later divided between his two eldest sons Manasseh and Ephraim. All very complicated! And there's no mention of the many daughters who must have been there too.

After detailed directions as to where he is to be buried back in Canaan, Jacob breathes his last and is gathered to his people (Genesis 49:33).

To Ponder:

• Why do you think all this detail about inheritance was so important, not just to Jacob’s immediate successors but to the people of Israel for generations to come?
• What are the points that still apply to issues of inheritance in our time, in families and in the Church?

Prayer
God of every generation, bless and guide people in dispute about matters of inheritance and succession in families, at work and in the Church. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Alan Bolton
Alan Bolton is a supernumerary presbyter in the High Wycombe Circuit, having sat down in 2018. He preaches regularly round the Circuit. His other occupations are family, music, model railways, walking, and reading – with a close interest in politics.