Topical Bible: Children: Male: Received the Blessing of Their Father Before his Death

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In the biblical narrative, the blessing of a father upon his sons before his death holds significant spiritual and cultural importance. This act is seen as a transfer of divine favor, authority, and inheritance, often shaping the future of the recipients and their descendants. The patriarchal blessings in the Old Testament are particularly noteworthy, as they reflect God's covenantal promises and the unfolding of His divine plan through chosen lineages.

Isaac Blesses Jacob and Esau

One of the most prominent examples of a father blessing his sons is found in the account of Isaac and his sons, Jacob and Esau. In Genesis 27, Isaac, who is old and nearly blind, intends to bless his elder son Esau. However, through the intervention of Rebekah, Jacob's mother, Jacob receives the blessing instead. Disguised as Esau, Jacob approaches Isaac, who blesses him with prosperity and dominion:

"May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth—an abundance of grain and new wine. May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed." (Genesis 27:28-29)

This blessing, though obtained through deception, aligns with God's earlier prophecy to Rebekah that "the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). Esau later receives a secondary blessing, which acknowledges his future struggles and eventual independence (Genesis 27:39-40).

Jacob Blesses His Sons

Another significant instance is Jacob blessing his twelve sons before his death, as recorded in Genesis 49. Each son receives a prophetic blessing that not only reflects their character and actions but also foretells the destiny of the tribes of Israel. For example, Judah is promised leadership and kingship, a prophecy that points to the Davidic line and ultimately to Jesus Christ:

"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the allegiance of the nations is his." (Genesis 49:10)

Joseph receives a particularly favorable blessing, emphasizing fruitfulness and divine favor, which is consistent with his role in preserving the family during famine:

"Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. The archers attacked him with bitterness, and aimed in hostility. Yet his bow remained steady, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel." (Genesis 49:22-24)

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

In Genesis 48, Jacob also blesses Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Despite Manasseh being the firstborn, Jacob intentionally crosses his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim, the younger, signifying a greater blessing. This act reflects the recurring biblical theme of God's sovereign choice, often favoring the younger over the elder:

"But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.'" (Genesis 48:19)

These blessings are not merely paternal wishes but are seen as prophetic utterances inspired by God, carrying profound implications for the unfolding of His redemptive history. The blessings bestowed by Isaac and Jacob underscore the importance of divine election and the fulfillment of God's promises through the patriarchal lineage.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 27:1-4
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his oldest son, and said to him, My son: and he said to him, Behold, here am I.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 48:15
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long to this day,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 49:1-33
And Jacob called to his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Life of Mr. Robert Fleming.
... Of the children the Lord received three of them to ... to them; I being the refuse of
my father's children, yet even I ... thus come to be the only male heir surviving ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr robert 9.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... see Exodus 22:29; xxxiv.19, 20], Every male that openeth ... custom of the law, 28 then
he received him into ... of their manhood, he has made as children, that they ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

On his Sister Gorgonia.
... and demonstrating that the distinction between male and female ... and perfecting: and
while she received regeneration from ... to her husband, her children, and her ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration viii on his sister.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... the other hand, that poor, wretched, abject male counterpart of ... toward God, whose
love they have received and felt ... All mankind are by nature the children of the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Christ Our Passover
... What tortures the sheepish race have received from us! ... why the male was chosen; we
only note that it was to be a male of the ... Eat quickly, my children," he says ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

The Empress Eudoxia from the Story of Christian Womanhood in Old ...
... in the demand and presenting her infant children, Flacilla and ... bishop and his party
were honorably received by the ... the empress brought forth a male child, and ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ix the empress eudoxia from.htm

Letter cxcix. Canonica Secunda.
... it is not right in such cases to admit the words of mere children. ... who commits
fornication with a heathen may be received into repentance ... [2699] "Male Angli in ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxcix canonica secunda.htm

From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... divorce; (d) the blessing of little children; (e) the ... 7) that at first they received
these manifestations ... were made to all kinds of witnesses, male and female ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xviii from the birth.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... the contrary, where it is thoroughly well received in the ... it should be practised
on every male of the ... I deny that the unregenerate, whether children or adults ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Baptism
... were once visibly in covenant with God, and received the seal ... Corinthians 11:3. What
was done to the male sex was ... Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians to me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 4 baptism.htm