The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/genesis/48.htm

They say that certain numbers have meaning, like 7 which is a “perfect” number. The number 12 is reportedly special as well, but I do not remember why.

Jacob (Israel) had 11 sons, who inherited the land of Canaan, and who had their inheritance named after them, resulting in a country. But instead of giving Joseph an inheritance in the land and naming it after him, Israel gave it to two of Josephs sons, born in Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh. So there ended up being 12 tribes, one for each of Jacobs sons, except Joseph who inherited two portions through his two sons.

Now when Jacob was of old age and nearing death, Joseph came to him and brought his two sons for Jacob to bless. Jacob began to bless Ephraim, the 2nd born, but Joseph didn’t like that and reminded his father that Manasseh was the first born. But for whatever reason, I do not know, Jacob purposely chose to bless the second born more; he blessed them both, but he blessed Ephraim more. And I have figured out why, yet. I’m sure if I play close attention, the answer will come to me eventually. But I can’t help but think why the importance of the 2nd born?

Abraham sinned by having Hagar as a surrogate mother, and even though Ishmael was the first-born, it was God’s plan to bless Isaac more.

And Isaac’s first born, Esau, chose to sell his birthright, because it was obviously God’s plan to bless Jacob more, and to even change his name to Israel.

And now, Jacob has chosen to give greater blessings to Joseph’s second born. I hope to find the answer as I read ahead because I feel this is simply too great a coincidence not to have some kind of meaning behind it.

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/genesis/49.htm

Jacob is dying, and he calls his son’s to him and blesses them and prophecize’s about each one, each prophecy being very accurate. Read what Jacob chose to say about each one, and you’ll see how accurate Jacob’s words were.

The Jacob made it known that he wanted to be taken back to Canaan upon his death and be buried with his fathers.

Jacob and Leah, Issac and Rebekah, and Abraham and Sarah are all buried together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_the_Patriarchs.

Rachel died in childbirth delivering Benjamin, and died while traveling, so she was buried away from the rest of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. You can reach about Rachels tomb also on Wikipedia.

Everything in the Bible was inspired by the Word of God, and personally, I believe everything is the Bible is there for a reason, either showing us how to live, or how not to live. So there is a reason why there were 12 tribes and not 11, why the 2nd born became the fathers of the Jewish people. We just have to trust God, pray for understanding, read with an open mind, and reflect carefully on each passage.

Praise God for giving us His word! Imaging how helpless and hopeless we might end up being with His Word being a lamp to our lives! Amen.