The God Who Fed Jacob

Joseph heard his father was sick, so he took his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to him. Israel strengthened himself and sat up. He told Joseph that God Almighty had appeared to him at Luz (Bethel) and promised to make him a multitude of peoples. Jacob said Joseph's two sons were his, adopting them as his own.

Jacob's eyes were dim with age. He kissed and hugged the boys and said, I didn't think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also. Joseph placed Manasseh near Jacob's right hand and Ephraim near his left. But Israel crossed his hands, putting his right hand on Ephraim's head.

Jacob blessed them in the name of the God before whom Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who had fed him all his life long. Joseph tried to move his father's hand, but Jacob said, I know, my son, I know. The younger would be greater. Then Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.