Topical Bible: Adoption: Illustrated: Joseph's Sons

◄ Adoption: Illustrated: Joseph's Sons ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Adoption, as a theological and biblical concept, signifies the act of God bringing believers into His family as His children. This spiritual adoption is mirrored in the Old Testament through the adoption of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by their grandfather Jacob. This event is a profound illustration of the significance and implications of adoption within the biblical narrative.

Biblical Context

The account of the adoption of Joseph's sons is found in Genesis 48. Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, had been sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to prominence in Egypt. During a time of famine, Joseph's family came to Egypt for sustenance, and it was there that Jacob, also known as Israel, met his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, for the first time.

The Act of Adoption

In Genesis 48:5, Jacob declares, "Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine." This pronouncement is significant as it elevates Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of Jacob's own sons, granting them equal inheritance rights alongside Jacob's other sons. This act of adoption is not merely a familial gesture but a legal and covenantal inclusion into the lineage of Israel.

Significance of Adoption

Jacob's adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh carries several layers of significance:

1. Inheritance and Blessing: By adopting Joseph's sons, Jacob ensures that they receive a portion of the inheritance promised to his descendants. This act underscores the importance of adoption in securing a place within the covenantal blessings of God. In Genesis 48:16, Jacob blesses the boys, saying, "The angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they multiply greatly upon the earth."

2. Identity and Belonging: Adoption into Jacob's family grants Ephraim and Manasseh a new identity. They are no longer solely Egyptian by birth but are now integral members of the Israelite community. This transformation reflects the spiritual adoption of believers into the family of God, where they receive a new identity in Christ.

3. Divine Sovereignty and Choice: The adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh also highlights God's sovereign choice. Despite being born in a foreign land, they are chosen to be part of God's covenant people. This mirrors the New Testament teaching that believers are chosen by God to be His children, as seen in Ephesians 1:5, "He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will."

4. Reversal of Expectations: In a surprising turn, Jacob places Ephraim, the younger, before Manasseh, the firstborn, when blessing them (Genesis 48:17-19). This reversal of expectations is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God's purposes often defy human conventions. It serves as a reminder that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His choices are based on His divine wisdom and purpose.

Theological Implications

The adoption of Joseph's sons by Jacob serves as a precursor to the New Testament understanding of spiritual adoption. It illustrates the grace and mercy of God in including those who were once outsiders into His covenant family. This Old Testament narrative foreshadows the greater reality of believers being adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, as articulated in Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

In summary, the adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh by Jacob is a rich biblical illustration of the transformative power of adoption, both in the physical and spiritual realms. It underscores the themes of inheritance, identity, divine choice, and the reversal of human expectations, all of which find their ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual adoption of believers into the family of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 48:5,14,16,22
And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... Son by nature; they are sons by adoption and grace. ... the great truth that God, and
not Joseph, is His ... The idea of substitution is well illustrated by the nature ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm