Before You Begin
Materials Needed
- Bible
- Notebook or Study Journal
- Pen or Pencil
- Dictionary
Research Tools
Use the following resources as you complete this study:
- Reference materials found at BlueLetterBible.com
- Various Bible translations found at BibleGateway.com
Opening Scripture
Genesis 48:3–4
“And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.”
Introduction
Genesis 48 records one of the final conversations between Jacob and Joseph. Jacob is nearing the end of his life and begins by reminding Joseph of promises God made many years earlier.
Before speaking about Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob first speaks about God.
Before speaking about the future, Jacob remembers the covenant.
This chapter invites us to look closely at God’s faithfulness across generations, the importance of remembering His promises, and the contrast between physical sight and spiritual discernment.
As you work through this study, pay attention to what Jacob remembers, what Joseph sees, and what Israel understands.
Search It Out
Read the following passages:
- Genesis 28:10–22
- Genesis 35:9–15
- Genesis 48
- Numbers 23:19
- Joshua 21:45
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Hebrews 11:1
Record your observations as you study.
Observation #1
Remembering the Promise
Read Genesis 48:3–4.
Multiple Choice
What location did Jacob mention when reminding Joseph of God’s promise?
A. Hebron
B. Beersheba
C. Luz
D. Egypt
Fill in the Blank
Jacob reminded Joseph that God said:
“I will make thee __________ and multiply thee.”
Write your answer before continuing.
True or False
Jacob began his conversation with Joseph by discussing Joseph’s accomplishments in Egypt.
TRUE / FALSE
Record your observations.
Pause and Consider
Why do you think Jacob began this conversation by reminding Joseph of God’s promises rather than immediately discussing Ephraim and Manasseh?
Record your observations before continuing.
Observation #2
Following the Covenant Thread
Read:
- Genesis 28:13–15
- Genesis 35:11–12
- Genesis 48:3–4
Fill in the Blank
The place originally called __________ later became known as Bethel.
Write your answer before continuing.
Multiple Choice
Which of the following promises appears in both Genesis 35 and Genesis 48?
A. Fruitfulness
B. Multiplication
C. Land
D. All of the Above
Follow the Thread
Compare the promises found in:
- Genesis 28:13–15
- Genesis 35:11–12
- Genesis 48:3–4
What promises appear repeatedly?
Record the covenant themes you discover.
Observation #3
The Faithfulness of God
Jacob’s words remind us that many years had passed between God’s promise and this conversation with Joseph.
Yet Jacob still spoke confidently about what God had said.
True or False
God’s promises become less certain as time passes.
TRUE / FALSE
Record your observations.
Read
- Numbers 23:19
- Joshua 21:45
- Isaiah 55:11
Match the Scripture
Match each passage with the statement that best fits.
| Scripture | Statement |
|---|---|
| Numbers 23:19 | _____ |
| Joshua 21:45 | _____ |
| Isaiah 55:11 | _____ |
A. God’s Word accomplishes His purpose.
B. God is not a man that He should lie.
C. Not one of God’s promises failed.
Record your findings.
Reflection Question
How might Jacob’s testimony have strengthened Joseph’s faith?
Record your observations.
Observation #4
The Seventeen-Year Pattern
The notes point out an interesting timeline.
Joseph was:
- Seventeen years old when he was sold into slavery.
- Thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh.
- Thirty-nine years old when he was reunited with Jacob.
Jacob then lived seventeen additional years in Egypt.
Fill in the Blank
Joseph was approximately ______ years old when he was reunited with Jacob.
Write your answer before continuing.
Multiple Choice
How many years did Jacob spend with Joseph after their reunion?
A. 7
B. 10
C. 17
D. 30
Pause and Consider
Why might Scripture preserve these details and timelines?
Record your observations.
Observation #5
Jacob and Israel
Read Genesis 48:8–10.
Notice that Scripture refers to Jacob as Israel.
Verse 10 tells us that Israel’s eyes were dim because of age.
Yet, later in the chapter, he knowingly crossed his hands while blessing Ephraim and Manasseh.
True or False
Although Israel’s eyesight was failing, he acted intentionally and with understanding.
TRUE / FALSE
Record your observations.
Fill in the Blank
“The eyes of Israel were __________ for age.”
Write your answer before continuing.
Multiple Choice
Why did Joseph think his father had made a mistake?
A. He forgot the names of the boys.
B. He could not see clearly.
C. He crossed his hands.
D. He refused to bless them.
Record your observations.
Observation #6
Physical Sight and Spiritual Discernment
Read:
- Genesis 48:14–19
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Hebrews 11:1
Match the Scripture
| Scripture | Theme |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | _____ |
| 2 Corinthians 5:7 | _____ |
| Hebrews 11:1 | _____ |
A. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
B. We walk by faith and not by sight.
C. God looks upon the heart.
Record your findings.
Follow the Thread
Joseph saw crossed hands.
What did Israel see?
Use Genesis 48:19 to support your observations.
Record what stands out to you.
Pause and Consider
What does this chapter teach about the difference between physical eyesight and spiritual discernment?
Record your observations.
Observation #7
Covenant Language Investigation
Read Genesis 48:3–4 again.
As you read, identify every promise God made concerning:
- Fruitfulness
- Multiplication
- A multitude of people
- The land
- Everlasting possession
Record your observations.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Read:
- Genesis 12:1–3
- Genesis 17:1–8
- Genesis 26:1–5
- Genesis 35:9–12
- Genesis 48:3–4
Questions
- Which promises are repeated throughout these passages?
- How do these promises connect Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph?
- What observations do you make about God’s faithfulness across generations?
Record your findings.
Digging Deeper
Read:
- Genesis 46:26–27
- Genesis 47:9
- Genesis 48:8–20
Questions
- What observations do you make about Jacob’s final years?
- How does Genesis 48 demonstrate God’s faithfulness?
- What role does remembrance play in this chapter?
- What does this chapter teach about trusting God’s promises?
Record your observations.
Reflection
Consider This
- What discovery surprised you most during this study?
- What did you learn about God’s faithfulness?
- What did you learn about remembering God’s promises?
- What did you learn about spiritual discernment?
- What passage stood out most to you and why?
Take a moment to record your thoughts before continuing.
Challenge
Create a list of the covenant promises repeated in:
- Genesis 12
- Genesis 17
- Genesis 26
- Genesis 35
- Genesis 48
What themes appear repeatedly?
Record your observations.
Before You Go
Genesis 48 reminds us that covenant promises are meant to be remembered and passed from generation to generation.
Jacob’s physical eyesight had grown dim, but his confidence in God’s promises had not.
Though he could no longer see clearly with his natural eyes, he still recognized what God was doing.
This chapter invites us to consider whether we are relying only upon what we can see or whether we are learning to trust the faithfulness of God beyond our natural understanding.
God’s promises endured through years of separation, hardship, waiting, and uncertainty.
When Jacob spoke to Joseph, he was not merely recounting history. He was testifying to the faithfulness of God, who keeps covenant from generation to generation.
Key Scriptures for Further Study
- Genesis 28:10–22
- Genesis 35:9–15
- Genesis 48:3–20
- Numbers 23:19
- Joshua 21:45
- Isaiah 55:11
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Hebrews 11:1
Closing Thought
Join us again for the next Understanding Covenant Language study as we continue exploring Scripture through the lens of covenant language and discovering the faithfulness of God throughout His Word.
Between a Father and HIS daughter, Home of The Artisans Pen 