When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed. – Genesis 48:2

Today's Scripture Reading (October 29, 2024): Genesis 48

I remember being called to the bedside of my Grandmother. It was clear that her life was coming to an end, so my wife and I booked off a couple of days and went to visit. I expected that we would find Grandma confined to her bed, possibly unresponsive. I hoped I could take care of some of the final arrangements while I was in town. To be honest, we had booked a hotel for a couple of days, and deep down, I really believed that we might be present when she passed away.

When we showed up at my Grandmother's room, she was dressed and sitting up in a wheelchair. According to the nurses, she had somehow heard that we were coming and wanted to be in her chair when we arrived. I remember having a great visit with her over the next couple of days and being able to talk to her about any last instructions. Grandma was 107 and had led an extraordinary life. She did pass away about six weeks later, but I treasure those last two days that I had with her.

Jacob was dying. He is 147 years old and has called Joseph to him. He is confined to his bed, but when Dad hears that Joseph has arrived, Jacob rallies his strength and sits up. He knows he needs to talk with his son, so he readies himself for it. I have no idea what Joseph expected, but I think he was surprised by the Jacob who greeted him that day. I also think Joseph was likely very thankful for this last moment that he could share with his dad. The two men had been through a lot; they had been hurt by the decades of separation that they had endured when Joseph had been enslaved, and Jacob had believed that his son was dead. But this moment couldn't be taken away from them.

Jacob is about to make his final desire known, and Joseph is ready to listen. Jacob would request that Joseph's sons would be considered his. Any other children would be known as Joseph's, but for some reason, Jacob wants Ephraim and Manasseh to be counted as his, which meant that each of the two grandsons would be included in the inheritance of Israel. Later, both would become tribes of Israel and receive an allotment of land when Israel moved back into the land God had promised Abraham.

Jacob also wants to be clear that he does not wish to be buried in Egypt. He wants his bones to find their rest at home. He had enough strength to make this request, and Joseph enjoyed a conversation with his father one more time.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 49