Genesis 41:51-52 "And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. (52) And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
Neither of these sons are mentioned in the New Testament other than one mention of a city named Ephraim. But that does not diminish their importance. They certainly were important to Joseph and they received a blessing from Jacob, their grandfather. But I include them in our study of People in the Bible because of the meaning of their names. Biblical names we're not just "passing fancies" of their parents. Each name held a specific meaning when given to them. We see that meaning for Joseph in today's passages.
When you put both meanings together, it reads, "For God hath made me forget all my toil and ... hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." Can we see why Joseph named his sons like this? Instead of being disturbed about being in Egypt, Joseph understood why he was there. God placed Joseph in an uncomfortable place in order to use him to deliver the people of Israel.
We do not always understand why we are in certain situations and circumstances, but we can trust our Lord to work good out of it. Do you agree?
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me