Greater?

But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused. “I know, my son; I know,” he replied. “Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. And his descendants will become a multitude of nations.” [Genesis 48.17-19]

There is SO much in this passage of Scripture that it is hard to know where to start!

Jacob's life contained a lot of unusual activity. The whole thing with Esau was huge and his dealings with Laban were certainly noteworthy, but this event with Joseph's sons could be seen as even more significant...

More significant??? Really?

Check this out: There was another "firstborn," Jesus the Messiah, Who would be the most significant "firstborn" in history. 

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [Romans 8.29]

And, like Manasseh, even though he was the firstborn and "great" in His own right, His existence would provide the standard by which a "greater" description could be recognized... He, Jesus, said so Himself:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Whoa!

This whole exchange with Jacob and Joseph was pointing directly to Jesus, the firstborn of God, and His siblings!

Now, there still remains the challenge for those "born of God" to walk in this "greater" status. A few are on record of having attained some level of "great." But is the day still ahead for those who will be seen as "even greater?"

The bar has been set high! We first have Jacob and then Jesus both making prophetic claims that we will not only live up to the standard of the Firstborn, but surpass Him. I know we are not comfortable making such statements, but until we are, we will not be walking the path God has chosen for us.

Believers in Christ are called to "greater" works than Jesus Himself. For anyone who has ever doubted the validity or translation of Jesus' words in John 14.12, they can now see that the exact same thing was spoken long before Jesus' Advent through the words of Jacob (Israel)!

Wow.

Father, You know the struggle I have had with Jesus' statement about "greater" works. Thank You for the confirmation of His declaration found in Jacob's prophecy long before Jesus even arrived!