Second Born

Genesis 48. Jacob's benediction upon Joseph's two sons explains why Ephraim and Manasseh ranked as two independent tribes. Jacob adopted them by the ceremony of taking them between his knees (Gen.48:12). This adoption and blessing upon them was to ensure that they would remain true to Israel's God. Jacob's move was by faith (Heb.11:21), and once again, the younger was preferred over the elder. This is the fifth time in the book of Genesis that we see a reversal of the birth order. God had chosen Abel, not Cain; Isaac, not Ishmael; Jacob, not Esau; and Joseph, not Reuben; and now He chooses Ephraim over Manasseh. Warren Wiersbe offers an interesting note here: "While we have no biblical grounds for doing it, one is tempted to see the cross pictured in the crossing of Jacob's hands. The sinner's birth order is reversed when he or she trusts Jesus Christ, for it's the second born whom God receives, not the firstborn. All of this is made possible because of our Lord's sacrifice on the cross." [Wiersbe, O.T. commentary]

Whether we can make the biblical application here or not can continued to be debated by the scholars and theologians, but the fact remains true: If you're born once, you die twice. But if you're born twice, you only die once. Jesus said, "you must be born again" (John 3:3). Have you been born again? Trust Christ today as your Lord and Savior.