1.17 Genesis 48-50

Stacy Carstensen

1.17

Genesis 48-50

Summarize the days reading in one paragraph. 

The reading begins with Jacob on his deathbed. He blesses Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh and again we see the younger son receive the blessing over the older, though both are promised to be great. All of Jacob’s sons come to him and he gives them each the blessing they are to receive. After this, he dies and the sons fulfill their promise to bury Jacob in the field Abraham bought, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried. Now that their father is dead and buried, Joseph’s brothers are afraid Joseph will repay them for the evil they did. They ask for forgiveness and Joseph assures them he will take care of them and their children. Before Joseph dies he reminds his brothers that God will visit them and fulfill his promise. He has them promise they will bring his bones up out of Egypt. The book of Genesis ends with the death of Joseph. 

A key verse in these chapters is: 

Genesis 50:12 “Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them.” 

How does what you read change your vision of God? 

God’s plan is amazing and he will fulfill his promises. Just like Joseph reminded his brothers that God would visit them before he died, it’s a reminder to me too, that God will continue to be faithful. The reason for that is that he loves us so much! Even in these three short chapters God is teaching us to be grateful, to forgive, to obey and to remember Jesus in everything.  I see God as more relentless than I did before from this reading. 

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others? 

It helps me see that I need to be happy and grateful with what God has given me and has let me experience in my life. I don’t need to expect or wish or long for things or experiences. His plan is perfect and his timing is perfect. My promise is in heaven and I just need to be content and be ready to praise him for any blessings he does give me on this earth. It also shows me that I don’t have to be perfect in order to obey God (Joseph’s brothers surely weren’t perfect, yet they still obeyed their father’s last wish) and I shouldn’t expect others to be perfect in their obedience either. 

How will you Go With God because of this reading? 

I will strive to be more grateful to God just like Jacob. It says in Genesis 48:11 that he never expected to see Joseph again but yet there he was getting to bless Joseph’s offspring knowing that God was the one that let him have that opportunity. I will also try to obey and not let hesitations or fear stop me. The key verse I chose reminded me that just as the sons obeyed their fathers commands, Jesus did too, and calls for us to imitate that! 

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? 

I thought about Jesus the most in Genesis 50:15-21. Joseph’s brothers are afraid he will repay them for their evil so come asking for forgiveness down on their knees (we come to Jesus for forgiveness knowing we are sinners, not wanting to be repaid for our evil). Joseph wept for them and shows humility (Jesus has compassion on us and so much humility). Joseph speaks truth to the brothers, telling them God meant it for good (Jesus spoke the truth to his disciples about God’s will when he was to die on the cross). Joseph tells his brothers not to fear, that he will take care of them and their children (Jesus tells us that he is always with us and that the promise is for all who are far off). 

I hope this helps you see the bible with new vision!