Devotionals
Joseph: the fruitful Bough
The name Joseph means God will add. He is Rachel’s compensation and answers to prayers. So she prophesied that God will add another son. God did by giving her Benjamin. Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. We need to view his blessings through these two as well. Charles Elliot, a 19th Century commentator misunderstood Josephs blessings. He says that when the blessings are analyzed, they amount simply to excessive fruitfulness without a Messianic or Spiritual prerogative. Charlie Garret answered him in 2014 that we will not repeat it here for space. Garret identifies Josephs blessings as fourfold: 1. His prosperity likened to a vine. 2. A trial of faith between him and his foes 3. His prevailing over his foes 4. His receiving the blessings of heaven, sea, earth, and his paternal family. This compares Joseph more to Christ. It takes a whooping four verses to bless Joseph, vv22-26. Every phrase is a full message. For every pain you’ve endured, God is preparing a worthwhile conclusion for your story. Your story had so many complications because the devil was afraid of the resolution. Now he can’t stop it. God’s coming for you. It will take more verses to tell your victory.