The Elevation of Ephraim
Deu 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh..
Manasseh and Ephraim are to be a glorious team. Strong, bold, unstoppable … a force God will use to advance the Kingdom even to the ends of the earth. But Ephraim will be more in number … they will be increased over their elder brother. It is God that raises one up over another. We cannot explain why Ephraim is persistently elevated over his elder one even from the time of Jacob – it was to be so …and Joseph did not understand it. Still both tribes were blessed. There are two issues here as you read this devotional – we must remember that it is God that elevates – it is vain to feel superior when it was never our doing in the first place. It is more sad to be grieved at the elevation of your brother. This is the second issue.
The reason for the expansion is to serve God and to move the purposes of God forward. For this purpose God requires thousands of Manasseh and ten thousand of Ephraim. The purpose of God’s differential elevation is to be of greater use to God. To be able to serve him more and help others even more.
The older brother must not be bitter and the younger must not be puffed up. May God help us in all our situations …keeping us focused on Him as we serve with different gifts and under different callings.
Let there be no bitterness in service and may we all find humility to bring all that God has equipped us with into his vineyard for His glory.
Song.
Of all the gifts Thy love bestows,
Thou Giver of all good,
Not Heaven itself a richer knows
Than the Redeemer’s blood.
Faith too that trusts the blood through grace
From that same love we gain;
Else, sweetly as it suits our case,
The gift had been in vain.
We praise Thee, and would praise Thee more;
To Thee our all we owe;
The precious Savior, and the power
That makes Him precious too
Prayer : Lord Jesus, Giver of all good things – thank you for your gifts, blessings and love. Teach me to give thanks and not envy others. Amen.
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
