Some time later Joseph was told, "Your father is ill." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. – Genesis 48:1

Today's Scripture Reading (September 15, 2021): Genesis 48

There is a great story about the last time that Humphry Bogart and Spencer Tracy met. Bogart, a heavy drinker and smoker all of his life, had developed esophageal cancer. He was a very private individual, and as tough as the characters he played on the Big Screen. But eventually, he had to admit that there was something wrong. Bogie went to the doctor for a diagnosis in January 1956. They decided to operate and remove his esophagus and two lymph nodes, but it was too late. He was placed on chemotherapy and had another surgery in November 1956, but the cancer had metastasized. On January 13, 1957, Frank Sinatra, Katherine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy went together for what would ultimately be their last visit with Bogart, although I doubt that they knew as they planned their visit that it would be their last.

After the visit, the trio gathered to leave their friend. Katherine Hepburn relates what happened next.

Spence [Spencer Tracy] patted him on the shoulder and said, "Goodnight, Bogie." Bogie turned his eyes to Spence very quietly and with a sweet smile covered Spence's hand with his own and said, "Goodbye, Spence." Spence's heart stood still. He understood.

Humphry Bogart lapsed into a coma and died the following day, and Spencer Tracy believed that Bogart had understood that the time was near. And so, he said his goodbye to his friends.

The news comes to Joseph that his father is ill. Joseph understood the message. It was not that Jacob had a cold or the flu and was stuck in bed for a few days. This was the end. It was the goodbye that both men knew had to come sooner or later.

Joseph received the message that his dad was sick, and he understood what that meant. So, he went to visit, maybe for the last time, his father. And he took with him his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It was a solemn moment. one that Joseph wanted his sons to remember. In the days that were still to come, Joseph wanted his sons to remember Jacob. When people talked of the patriarch, as he knew that they would, he wanted his sons to be able to say that they had been there with him and that they had made their own goodbye to their grandfather. It was a memory that none of Joseph's other children would have, but Ephraim and Manasseh would remember the day they had the privilege of saying goodbye to Israel (Jacob).

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 49