INTENTIONALLY CROSSED

“Then he added this blessing on them that day: ‘Isra’el will speak of you in their own blessings by saying, “May God make you like Efrayim and M’nasheh.”’ Thus he put Efrayim ahead of M’nasheh.”
Genesis 48:20

When Yosef had brought his two sons with him to see his father before his passing, Yosef had placed his sons in front of his half blind father with Efrayim reachable to Ya’akov’s left and M’nasheh to Ya’akov’s right. They stood in the order of their birthright. However, as Ya’akov extended his hands toward the sons he intentionally crossed his hands, placing his left on M’nasheh and right on Efrayim. Yosef saw this and attempted to correct his father, but to no avail. It is then that Ya’akov announced the blessing and said that the younger would serve the older. To this he announced that Isra’el would announce, “May God make you like Efrayim and M’nasheh,” calling the youngest son’s name first.
As part of the Shabbat blessings spoken each Friday night, there is a time when the fathers announce a special blessing over the children. To the son, the father prays, “May God make you like Efrayim and M’nasheh,” while to the daughter we pray, “May God make you like Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Le’ah.” Following this the father then prays over the children his own words. But why name these two sons? I have heard it said that these sons are not only mentioned based on these final words of Ya’akov, but also because these were the first sons that show no record of quarrelling. Perhaps it is true. Cain and Able fought. Noah’s sons had some issues. Ish’mael and Yitz’chak had a few not so happy times. Ya’akov and Esav quarreled. And we know of many fights that Ya’akov’s sons had.
But in closing I want to point out a few factors that point to this blessing of the younger serving the weaker coming to pass. Y’hoshua (Joshua) was an Efrayimite, and led the nation of Isra’el. In Numbers 21 it is recorded that the tribe of M’nasheh camped under the standard of Efrayim. And in reading the number from the census taken both times by Moshe, Efrayim’s numbers are greater than M’nasheh’s both times. The effects of Ya’akov’s intentionally crossed hands on Yosef’s sons can be seen. This proves once again that our Father not only knows what He is doing, but more importantly His words come to pass. What has He spoken over you?

Genesis 48:17-22