Ephraim & Manasseh

Joseph, the eleventh born son of Jacob is hearing the history and prophecy of himself and his offspring regarding latter time judgments.

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:” Genesis 49:22

Jacob is recounting the judgment that the Most High blessed Joseph with. He was pronounced to be fruitful and plenteous. After Joseph’s afflictions in Egypt he would go on to become second in command in Egypt.

“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? [39] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: [40] Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. [41] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. [42] And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; [43] And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:38-43

Great blessings and an abundance of riches came from this prophecy. Joseph’s blessing overflowed thus his “branches running over the wall.” This is vital history regarding Israel and our rulership in Egypt. While many so-called African Americans cling to Egyptology and our past in Egypt, they fail to acknowledge or understand the rich legacy that our people are actually linked to which is to one of the sons of Jacob! Joseph appointed his brothers over different administrations in Egypt (Genesis 45:5-11; Genesis 47:6; Genesis 47:27).

“The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:” Genesis 49:23

The archers were those that had rule over Jacob. At this time, the archers were his older brothers. They were jealous of Joseph’s favor that he had with Jacob.

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. [4] And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” Genesis 37:3-4

The elder brothers had hatred for Joseph. This is clearly against the commandments of the Most High (Leviticus 19:17). They plotted his murder and the eventual plan to sell him off into slavery.

“And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; [24] And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. [25] And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. [26] And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? [27] Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. [28] Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. [29] And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.” Genesis 37:23-29

“But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)” Genesis 49:24

Joseph’s bow is a metaphor for a weapon of defense. Joseph maintained himself with strength and faith after being hated by his brothers, being sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, and being incarcerated. He completely relied on the Most High to deliver him and keep him faithful.

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. [33] He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. [34] He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.” Psalms 18: 32-34

David acknowledges that only by and through the Most High can we become strengthened and endure afflictions. He teaches us how to be fighters physically and spiritually. Joseph was clearly a fighter that refused to lose. Joseph remained strong through the wisdom of the Father. He was a great mathematician, businessman, judge and discerner (Genesis 42; Genesis 39).

“And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, [16] The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. [17] And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. [18] And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. [19] And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. [20] And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. [21] And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. [22] Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.” Genesis 48:15-22

Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who will play important roles as it pertains to the latter day prophesies. We also see how Joseph would be fruitful as his two sons would receive his inheritance and become two of the tribes of Israel. Joseph was strengthened by the Most High with his offspring and dominion in Egypt. Throughout all Joseph’s trials and tribulations, he managed to prolong his seed and set them up for future blessings.

“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.” 1 Chronicles 5:1

Due to Reuben’s transgression, his double portion (Deuteronomy 21:17) was given to the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. This inheritance along with the adoptive blessing of Jacob (Genesis 48:15-22) integrated the brothers into completing the 12 Tribes of Israel (Joshua 14:4).

“And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, [14] And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, [15] And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, [16] And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.” Deuteronomy 33:13-16

Joseph’s land was divided amongst his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim in particular occupied a mountainous region which was also known as Mt. Ephraim (Joshua 19:50). This is why Joseph’s blessings included “ancient mountains and lasting hills.” The land of Ephraim was abundant with fertile soil thus creating precious fruits and vegetation. Being in a mountainous region, rain was plentiful and enhanced the fruitful nature of the land. His brother Manasseh also occupied fertile and blessed earth. Manasseh in particular was the larger tribe of the two occupying an east and west territory. Their territory was divided by the Jordan River. To the east (Numbers 32:33-41) they enjoyed the luscious plains and fertile lands that Gad and Reuben dwelt in, while to the west (Joshua 13:31) they enjoyed the fruitful lands north of their younger brother Ephraim.

“And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? [15] And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. [16] And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Beth-shean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. [17] And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: [18] But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” Joshua 17:14-18 (Read all Joshua 17)

“His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.” Deuteronomy 33:17

Ephraim and Manasseh found themselves held in the glory of their father being honored with the glory of a sacred sacrifice. The firstling was the choice sacrifice of the Most High, which was held in high regard.

“And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.” Deuteronomy 14:23

Joseph had a strong legacy and connection with the Most High. He was somewhat of a sacrifice by the Most High as he was given over to the Egyptians, afflicted and later exalted to be ruler which would help save his brethren from famine and death. These acts by their father show the strength and majesty that Joseph had and that they would inherit “...his horns are like the horns of unicorns.” The unicorn was a legendary animal known for its strength. Both tribes were valiant warriors and strong in war (1 Chronicles 5:18; 1 Chronicles 12:30).

“God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.” Numbers 23:22

The Tribe of Ephraim would later become rulers of the Northern Kingdom of Israel which fell into wickedness and was carried away into captivity by The Assyrians (http://www.truenation.org/10_Tribes_Of_Israel.pdf). Due to their transgression, Israel was scattered throughout the four corners of the earth (Zechariah 7:14; Deuteronomy 28:64; Hosea 9:1-4).