Fathers and Grandfathers

Introduction : Israel and Joseph

On this Father’s Day, I think it’s important for us to consider what fatherhood means. Here’s a small boy’s definition of Father’s Day. "It’s just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the presents."

I want us to take a look at this section in Genesis which speaks of a grandfather, a father, and his two sons. Israel (also known as Jacob) had thought his son Joseph was dead. Now, he’s living in Egypt with him and is approaching the end of his life. Joseph brings his two sons with him to receive a blessing from their grandfather.

McGee points out, "This chapter gives us another occasion to see further evidences of the spiritual growth of Jacob. He has come a long, long way since his early days. We may feel that it is unfortunate that these traits which appear in the last days of Jacob were not present in his early life. But isn’t it wonderful to be able to observe in this that spiritual life is a growth and a development!"

Verse 8
When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, "Who are these?"

From verse 1 we know that Joseph received word that his father was ill. Israel is approaching the end of his life. His vision is very poor and he probably had difficulty seeing. But he was not thinking of his own poor condition – his poor health or his dim vision. He was thinking of his son and his family. A grandfather must show that he cares for his children’s families. Here Israel shows interest in his two grandsons.

As grandfathers, we can still have an influence on our children and our grandchildren if we are willing to spend the time and make the effort to reach out to our family. A grandfather reinforces the teaching and values that grandchildren receive from their parents. This is an important source of family strength and should not be neglected.

Verse 9
Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." And he said, "Bring them to me, I pray you, that I may bless them."

Next, we see the role of the father. Joseph was willing to take his sons to be with their grandfather. When we are raising a family, it is easy to get so busy as to not make time for our older relatives. But they have an important role to play in the family. We must make time for them. Joseph wanted his sons to receive a blessing from their grandfather – something that no doubt would influence them throughout their lives.

But beyond the natural affection Joseph had for his father, he is also making a decision for his sons, the importance of which they may not have understood or appreciated. In Egypt shepherds were despised. Joseph desires his sons to cast their lot in with his shepherd family instead of with the royal court.

As Dods points out, "No doubt the highest posts in Egypt were open to his sons; they might have been naturalised as he himself had been, and throwing in their lot with the land of their adoption, might have turned to their advantage the rank their father held, and the reputation he had earned. But Joseph turns from this attractive prospect, brings them to his father, and hands them over to the despised shepherd-life of Israel. One need scarcely point out how great a sacrifice this was on Joseph’s part."

Verse 10
Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him; and he kissed them and embraced them.

A father will influence what is important in his children’s minds. Joseph wants his sons to know their grandfather. So he brings them to him. How important do you make older relatives to your family? Do you still care enough about them to include them in your lives and the lives of your children? This is an important part of being a father.

Israel’s vision was too dim to be able to see these grandsons very well so he asked Joseph to bring them closer. Leupold tells us, "Joseph complies with his father’s request and ‘brought them near to him.’ Then the venerable patriarch ‘kissed and embraced them’ in a manner that made these young men understand the better what their grandfather had meant to their father."

I believe it is important that children see their parents as children of the grandparents. This way they understand better the traditions and values of the family which are being handed down from one generation to the next. And they better understand their place in this process. Nothing is better than for fathers to encourage their sons to have a relationship with their grandfather.

Verse 11
And Israel said to Joseph, "I had not thought to see your face; and lo, God has let me see your children also."

Here we see the joy of the grandfather. He expresses his joy over his son and his grandsons. Grandfathers must be careful to show their love and happiness for their children in front of their grandchildren. As children grow up, if they see their parents esteemed by their grandparents, they will also esteem their parents. But if grandparents are negative about their children or grandchildren, it will produce a negative impression.

Israel affirms his love and joy for Joseph. When grandparents do this for their children, they are granting parental approval which is extremely important in our development of our self-image, no matter what our age. Israel, as the father, shows approval to Joseph, his adult son. Many adults are haunted for years by the lack of parental approval. It often causes these children to do things which are disastrous or destructive. A parent granting approval to his children is essential to the emotional well-being of children, no matter what their age.

Verses 12-13
Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him.

In these verse we see the guidance of a father. Joseph had been holding his sons close to him. Now he takes them to his father. A father can have a profound influence on his children. He can guide and direct in so many quiet and subtle ways. It is important that a father take this role seriously and do all he can to ensure that his children will be happy, successful, and faithful to God.

Father’s Day

We talk so much ‘bout mothers;

leave the dads "out in the cold."

I’m sure that dads are parents,

(at least so I’ve been told).

We sing our mother’s praises,

(we should do that, I know),

But don’t you think some dads would

like to get in on the show?

They haven’t things so easy;

they work to make the dollars

To buy the food and pay the rent

before the landlord hollers.

They seldom buy an extra suit;

they make the old one do;

They seem to be contented if

they have a change or two.

While mother, sons, and daughters

shop for the "latest look,"

Poor dad sits home and contemplates

his flattened pocketbook.

He seldom is consulted

when the family’s planning fun;

He never has the family car

As long as it can run.

But when it needs attention

and the tank is empty, too,

The family says, "The car is yours

for what you need to do."

Poor dads! They are ignored a lot,

and sort of out-of-things;

While mom gets dressed they wait around

like a bird with broken wings.

But dads are really human

and they like attention, too;

Perhaps a little bit of thanks

for all the things they do.

Let’s sing our mother’s praises

on Mother’s Day in May,

And make our fathers happy

in June on Father’s Day.

But when the joyful day is gone,

Don’t wait another year

Until you recognize their worth

and fill their hearts with cheer.

Verse 14
And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand upon the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the first-born.

Next we see the grandfather caring for his grandsons. He wanted to not only receive, but also to give. He wanted to bless these young men and give them a word of encouragement. He wanted them to realize that they were special in the eyes of their grandfather, the eyes of their father, and the eyes of God. Grandfathers can have a great influence on the religious development of their grandchildren. By showing that the faith of their father is also the faith of their grandfather, it reinforces the place of God in the lives of the grandchildren. All grandparents need to be conscious of the importance they play in the spiritual development of their descendants.

Verse 15
And he blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has led me all my life long to this day."

Not only do we see Israel caring for his grandsons, but we also see the grandfather still caring for his son. Before pronouncing any blessing on the grandsons, Israel blesses Joseph. Children should always be more important to us than grandchildren. We love our grandchildren, but our first allegiance must always be to our children.

Notice how Israel ties Joseph and his children with the God of his ancestors. Bowie comments, "Nothing is more characteristic of Genesis than the way in which the thought of God is always linked with something larger than the individual. He is the God who claims the particular person’s loyalty, but he is his God because he has been also the God of his fathers. ... The consciousness of the bond of faith that ran from generation to generation was the power that made the spiritual stanchness of the people of Israel."

Verse 16
"The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

Finally, the grandfather shares his faith. Israel wants his son and his grandsons to know that it is God who has been with him all his life. If we want to be a good father, or a good grandfather, we must be willing to share our faith with our family. We must be willing to share what God has done for us. We must also be willing to live our faith before our family.

The Christian Service Brigade points out the following statistical findings:

1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there’s an 80 percent likelihood that you’ll worship God regularly as an adult.

2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there’s only a 30 percent probability that you’ll worship regularly as an adult.

3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the likelihood that you’ll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70 percent!

They conclude, "Fathers have an enormous impact on their children’s faith and values. One of your most important ministries is worshipping with your kids!"

So whether you are a father or a grandfather, do what you can to share your knowledge of God with your family. Fathers and grandfathers have a strong effect on their families. Let us use this influence that God has given us to help our families grow strong spiritually.

Footnotes:

Dods: The Expositor’s Bible, vol. 1, pg. 110, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, published in 1947

Father’s Day by Clara Bode, Christian Clippings, June 1999, pg. 7-8, slightly modified

Christian Service Brigade: On the Father Front, Spring, 1995, pg. 4



	A Study of Genesis 48:8-16