The crossing of hands | Genesis 48:14

"Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn." Genesis 48:14

Near the end of Jacob's life, it was time to bless his children. This was a very solemn and serious act, an act that was filled with power and significance. Because the Lord was with the Patriarch, whatever he (Jacob) blessed was a prophecy for what was to come. One can just think of what he said of Judah in Genesis 49:9-12 and see that he prophesied of both David and Jesus!

We then come to this strange occurrence of Jacob (whose name is also Israel) blessing his grandchildren, the sons of Joseph. The right hand of blessings, meant for the firstborn, was purposefully placed on the younger child. The Bless-er knowingly crossed his hands to bless the younger with the firstborn blessings. Joseph noticed this strange occurrence and protested against his father, but Israel seemed to have retained his clarity at least in this instance. He said:

“I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” Genesis 48:19

For in our verse of the week, the Hebrew word for "knowingly" denotes wisdom, prudence, and insight. This was no blunder on the part of the ancient patriarch. This was another act of prophecy.

I think it serves as a reminder of what happened at the cross. When wrath and punishment was unleashed onto the rightful Firstborn of all creation. When Jesus was on the cross, He cried:

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46b

It echoes the cry of Joseph, when he told his father to uncross his hands. And as surely as Jesus whispered in the garden of Gethsemane where He had told His father, "Not My will, but Yours be done.", in that silence at the cross, rings the voice of our Father, saying, "Let the world see, that there has been a propitiation set before me. That God has provided for Himself a lamb, in place of man."

The firstborn blessings has been handed to the younger child

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15

The bible is filled with stories about the undeserving receiving the favor and blessings of God. It seems like this is one of the common traits of God's work on earth. It is amazing that at the Cross, the greatest act known to men, this trait is seen once again. At the cross, God the Father crossed His hands, and gave the blessings to the Younger. It is even more amazing, that in this case, the Firstborn was willing. Is willing. And even now, He is at our Father's right hand, forever as an advocate and our representative.

Father, You intentionally crossed Your hands at the cross. Where wrath and punishment was due, You transformed, renewed, blessed; where the firstborn blessing was deserved, You unleashed judgement and punishment. You did this knowingly, with the sole intention of saving me, and lifting me back up to Your side.