Unexpected Blessing

As Israel's life drew to a close, he asked Joseph to bring his two sons to his bedside so he could bless them.   Joseph intentionally placed the older son Manasseh on the right hand of his father and younger Ephraim on the left.  Joseph was displeased when Israel suddenly crossed his arms and placed his hands opposite of Joseph's preference.  Joseph protested as he reached out and grabbed his father's hand to physically remove his right hand from Ephraim and place it upon Manasseh.  Israel refused to yield to Joseph's demands and blessed both of them, by faith in God revealing the younger would become a greater people than the elder.

Joseph was initially humbled and most pleased his sons were blessed by his father Israel, yet he was displeased in the manner the blessing was given.  The dual blessing was the same spoken over both of them, but Joseph was irked the younger would have the greater blessing that ought to be reserved his older son.  It is ironic Joseph complained because this blessing from the LORD was all of grace, for Reuben was Israel's firstborn son, and Israel adopted Ephraim and Manasseh into his line.  Isn't it strange how even unbelievers won't refuse blessing from God if it means they can have things their way?  Joseph preferred Israel bless his sons the way he thought best, and believers today can do the same thing with God.

One of the difficulties lies in the vagueness and arbitrary nature of what we commonly call "blessing."  We would be incorrect to believe the word means whatever we want it to.  The Hebrew conveys "to praise, to fill with strength" and can be a gift, benefit, advantage or wish of happiness.  Wouldn't it be true to say if something is "of the LORD" it is a blessing regardless if we asked for it or if we feel privileged to have it or not?  The blessing of the LORD upon Ephraim and Manasseh was good for both of them--even though the younger was set before the older.  There are many things that God has allowed in my life that did not feel or seem good at the time, yet now with hindsight I can recognise they were gracious blessings from His hand.  When Jesus died on the cross it was all bad to His disciples, yet in time they came to understand it was the means of imparting blessings of forgiveness, salvation and adoption for lost sinners provided by the Gospel.

Since God is good and His ways are higher than ours, the trial or unexpected difficulty we face right now in time we may look back upon with eyes of faith and count it among the greatest blessings from God we have received.  The unexpected blessings provided by God's grace are just as lovely and priceless as the blessings we beg for.  Praise the LORD He delights to bless us, and without a doubt He Himself is our greatest blessing.  We ought to expect these unexpected blessings continually and receive them gladly by faith in Him.