Jacob

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

‘Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph.’ Jacob – faith’s tribal blessing (Gen. 48:1-22). Israel predicted that Ephraim, the younger, would be greater than Manasseh, the firstborn and that God would bring Israel to the promised land again. The tribe of Ephraim became greater in number, power and dignity (Num. 1:32-33; 2:18-20; Deut. 33:17). Ephraim became a name synonymous with Israel after the division of the kingdom of Israel (Isa. 7:2-17; 9:9; 11:13; 28:1-3; Ezek. 37:16, 19; Hos. 4:17; 5:13-14; 7:1-11; 8:9-11; 9:3-16; 10:6-11; 11:3-12; 12:1-14; 13:1-12; 14:8; Zech. 9:10-13; 10:7).

Jacob claimed Ephraim and Manasseh as part of the great nation that God had promised him. They became the heads of two of the twelve tribes of Israel. One took the place of Joseph and the other the place of Levi whose tribe became the priestly line and was not reckoned as one of the twelve tribes during the organization of the nation (Num. 1:1-15, 20-43; 2:1-34; 7:1-89; 10:14-28; 13:1-15; 26:1-65; 34:1-20; Jos. 13:7-33; Jdg. 5:14-18).

Jacob was named Israel (Gen. 32:28; 2Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3-4) by God, as well as his descendants (Exo. 9:7), and Christ (Isa. 49:3). The Hebrew word Yisra’el comes from sar, “prince”, meaning prevailed or ruled as a prince; and ’El, God, Strength, Mighty, the Almighty. It means Prince with God “for as a prince have thou power with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). He had prevailed with man (Gen. 25:29-34; 27:1-31:55); now he prevailed with God (Gen. 32:29-32).

The Old Testament is largely a record of the history of Israel and God’s revelation to Israel – their beginning as a nation (Gen. 29:21-30:43); their 430 years of sojourn (Gen. 12:1-Exo. 12:40); journeys and wanderings for over 41 years (Exo. 12:1-51 – Deut. 34:1-12); the conquest of Canaan (Jos. 1-24); experiences under the 16 judges (Judges 1:1 – 1Sam. 7) and under the 42 kings (1Sam. 8 – 2Kin. 25; 2Chr. 36:1-23); the captivities (2Kin. 25:1-30; Ezra 1:1-11); and the restoration as a nation under Ezra and Nehemiah. Scripture contains hundreds of prophecies concerning Israel.