INTRODUCTION:  Although this lesson may seem anticlimactic, God is still fulfilling His blessings on Joseph and rewarding him for his faithfulness.  Our final reward comes in heaven (1 Peter 1:4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
See All...).  Yet, we can be sure that our God will make all things work out to the good of those who love Him.

1. JACOB PREPARES FOR HIS BURIAL (Genesis 47:27-31 [27] And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. [28] And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. [29] And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: [30] But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. [31] And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
   See All...)
1. Jacob’s Family Prospers in Goshen (Genesis 47:27And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
   See All...).
2. Jacob Lives Seventeen Years in Egypt (Genesis 47:28And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
   See All...).
1. Jacob would have been 130 years old when he arrived in Egypt.
2. Jacob died at 147 years of age.
3. Jacob probably lost out on 22 years of the life of Joseph, but the Lord was gracious and gave him 17 years with Joseph before he died.
3. Joseph Promises to Bury Jacob in Canaan (Genesis 47:29-31 [29] And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: [30] But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. [31] And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
   See All...; Genesis 24:1-3 [1] And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. [2] And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: [3] And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
   See All..., 9).
1. Jacob entrusts Joseph with his funeral arrangements (Genesis 47:29And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
   See All...).
2. Jacob asks Joseph to bury him with his fathers (Genesis 47:30But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
   See All...).
3. Joseph swares unto Jacob that he will do as he has asked (Genesis 47:31And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
   See All...).
4. NOTE: The Thigh
1. The portion of the leg between the knee and the hip
2. A place of strength (Psalm 45:3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
   See All...).  This is probably the reason that the oath was made with the hand under the thigh.
3. A place of nakedness (Exodus 28:42And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
   See All...; Isaiah 47:2-3 [2] Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. [3] Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
   See All...)
4. A place of special importance to Jacob (Genesis 32:24-25 [24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. [25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
   See All..., 30-32)
2. JACOB REMEMBERS GOD’S PROMISES (Genesis 48:1-4 [1] And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. [2] And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed. [3] And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, [4] And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
   See All...)
1. Joseph Goes to His Father (Genesis 48:1And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
   See All...).
1. News came to Joseph that his father was sick.
2. Joseph went to see his father and took his two sons.
2. Jacob Rises to Meet His Son (Genesis 48:2And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
   See All...; Hebrews 11:21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
   See All...).
1. Someone told Jacob of Joseph’s desire to see him (Genesis 48:2And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
   See All...).
2. Jacob strengthened himself enough to sit up upon the bed (Genesis 48:2And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
   See All...).
3. Apparently Jacob leaned upon his staff (Hebrews 11:21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
   See All...).
3. Jacob Speaks of God’s Appearance to Him (Genesis 48:3-4 [3] And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, [4] And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
   See All...).
1. The promise of blessing (Genesis 48:3And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
   See All...)
2. The promise of a seed (Genesis 48:4And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
   See All...)
3. The promise of the land (Genesis 48:4And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
   See All...)
3. JACOB EXALTS JOSEPH’S SONS (Genesis 48:5-7 [5] And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. [6] And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. [7] And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
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1. The Grandsons Elevated to Sons (Genesis 48:5And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
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1. Joseph’s two sons were born in Egypt.
2. They are now elevated to the same level as the sons of Jacob.
3. The two sons mentioned by name are Reuben and Simeon which are the oldest sons.
2. Their Names Equal to Joseph’s Brethren (Genesis 48:6And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
   See All...)
3. A Special Remembrance to Rachel (Genesis 48:7And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
   See All...)
1. Rachel died by Jacob in the land of Canaan.
2. Rachel was buried in the way of Ephrath which is Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
   See All...).
4. JACOB RECEIVES JOSEPH’S SONS (Genesis 48:8-14 [8] And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? [9] And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. [10] Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. [11] And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed. [12] And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. [13] And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. [14] And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
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1. Joseph Presents His Sons to Jacob (Genesis 48:8-9 [8] And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? [9] And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
   See All...).
1. Jacob asks Joseph who is with him (Genesis 48:8And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?
   See All...).
1. Jacob had already met Ephraim and Manasseh.
2. Jacob’s eyes were so blinded that he could not recognize them (Genesis 48:10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
   See All...).
2. Joseph identifies his sons (Genesis 48:9And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
   See All...).
3. Jacob calls them to come closer (Genesis 48:9And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
   See All...).
2. Jacob Embraces Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 48:10-11 [10] Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. [11] And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
   See All...).
1. Jacob kisses and embraces the sons of Joseph (Genesis 48:10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
   See All...).
2. Jacob expresses gratitude for not only seeing Joseph but also seeing the seed of Joseph (Genesis 48:11And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
   See All...).
3. Jacob Worships God on His Staff (Genesis 48:12And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
   See All...; Hebrews 11:21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
   See All...).
1. Joseph brings his sons from between the knees of Jacob.
2. Jacob bows himself with his face toward the earth and worships (Hebrews 11:21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
   See All...).
4. Jacob Places His Hands on Their Heads (Genesis 48:13-14 [13] And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. [14] And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
   See All...).
1. Correctly guided by Joseph (Genesis 48:13And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
   See All...)
1. Ephraim was placed close to the left hand of Jacob.
2. Manasseh was placed close to the right hand of Jacob.
3. This was done so that the right hand would bless the firstborn Manasseh.
2. Wittingly voided by Jacob (Genesis 48:14And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
   See All...)
1. He touched Ephraim with his right hand.
2. He touched Manasseh with his left hand.
5. JACOB BLESSES JOSEPH’S SONS (Genesis 48:15-22 [15] 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.
   See All...)
1. Jacob Glorifies God (Genesis 48:15-16 [15] 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.
   See All...).
1. The God of his fathers (Genesis 48:15And 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,
   See All...a)
2. The God who fed him (Genesis 48:15And 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,
   See All...b)
3. The Angel who redeemed him (Genesis 48:16The 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.
   See All...)
4. This blessing is threefold and could very well be connected to God the Father and God the Son.  Blessings similar to this are used in Paul’s epistles (1 Corinthians 1:3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
   See All...), in Peter’s epistles (2 Peter 1:2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
   See All...), and in John’s epistles (2 John 1:3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
   See All...).
2. Jacob Confirms the Placement of His Hands (Genesis 48:17-19 [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.
   See All...).
1. Joseph tries to correct his father’s hands (Genesis 48:17-18 [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.
   See All...).
2. Jacob confirms to Joseph that he knows what he is doing with the blessing (Genesis 48:19And 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.
   See All...).
3. Jacob Blesses the Sons of Joseph (Genesis 48:20-22 [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.
   See All...).
1. Placing Ephraim before Manasseh (Genesis 48:20And 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.
   See All...)
2. Promising a return to Canaan (Genesis 48:21And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
   See All...); notice the plural “you” in speaking to Joseph.  Joseph only returned as bones but the children of Israel returned in mass to inherit the land.
3. Providing a double portion to Joseph (Genesis 48:22Moreover 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.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION:  We cannot give more to the Lord than He gives back to us in return (Malachi 3:10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
See All...; Luke 6:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
See All...).  We can rest assured that if we give our lives and possessions to the Lord that He will make it worth it all in the end.