Genesis 48:13-22 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. 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. 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, 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. 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. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. 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. 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. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. 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."
Israel had just claimed Ephraim and Manasseh as his own. He was about to lay hands of blessing on both of them. Joseph presented his sons to Israel so that Ephraim was closest to Israel’s left hand and Manasseh closest to his right. The right hand in such a blessing was traditionally placed on the oldest child.
Israel’s eyesight was failing him due to age and infirmity. As he stretched forth his hands, he crossed them in front of himself so that his right hand rested on Ephraim, the youngest son. When Jospeh saw this, he tried to “correct” the situation. However, Israel assured Joseph that he knew exactly what he was doing.
Although Israel blessing was upon Ephraim and Manasseh, the scripture tells us that Israel blessed Joseph. In this blessing, he testified of God’s faithfulness to him. He spoke of the Angel (an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament) which had redeemed him from all evil. Finally, he said words that had to be both sad and of great encouragement to Joseph. He told Joseph that he was at the end of his days, but God would surely be with Joseph.
Israel fully elevated Joseph above his brothers in this last verse. He told Joseph he had given him one portion above them. In that day, when a father divided his possession between his sons, the oldest son received a double portion. By this act, he set Joseph as his firstborn.
Israel demonstrated that the eye of faith is stronger than natural sight by his choosing of Ephraim over Manasseh. He also demonstrated again God’s purpose that the elder should serve the younger, just as God had shown with Jacob and Esau. In the New Testament, we see that the first man Adam (our Adamic nature) would be in submission to the second man Adam (Jesus) through the work of the Holy Ghost. What comfort to know that God works His will, redeems us from evil, and cannot be hindered, even when we die!