Emphasizing Ephraim

“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 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… but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he… and he set Ephraim (Heb. “fruitfulness”) before Manasseh (Heb. “causing to forget”)” (Genesis 48:14-20).  “Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). 

When Joseph knew the time drew near

His father Israel would die,

He brought his sons to him to hear

The blessings he would verify. 

The grace to bless is not from men,

But from the Lord who gives His Word, 

As Joseph was reminded then

By blessings on that day he heard.   

The Lord, we know, looks on the heart,

And thereby makes His wise decision

Regarding blessings He’ll impart

According to His perfect vision.  

Sometimes there is an application

Embedded in a given name,

As Ephraim is an indication

Of “fruitfulness” that we may claim. 

Manasseh, on the other hand,

Means “causing to forget” the past. 

This is a virtue in demand,

But not the greatest one at last. 

This emphasis must have its root

In what the Lord could see ahead.

Our Savior emphasized much fruit,

So by this principle we’re led. 

How great these treasures are for us

As we are preaching of our Savior

And see the fruit is glorious

As souls are led to find His favor. 

O Lord, as we behold Your glory,

We pray for fruit that will remain

As we recall redemption’s story

And not the things that caused us pain. 

We thank You, Lord, for emphasis

On Ephraim’s fruitful, forward view. 

So keep us likewise fixed on this,

As souls may yet be won for You.