In Genesis 48, Joseph brings his two sons— Manasseh and Ephraim —to receive a blessing from his father Jacob, now renamed Israel . As the firstborn, Manasseh is positioned at Israel’s right hand, the seat of favour. Ephraim, the younger, is placed at the left. But Israel does something strange: he crosses his hands . Joseph tries to correct him. Surely the blessing belongs to the elder. But Israel insists: “I know, my son, I know… but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he.” (Genesis 48:19) This moment echoes a much older pattern. The firstborn is once again passed over, and the younger is preferred. But this is no favouritism. It is a spiritual law revealed in story : The past is not the source. Fruitfulness does not come after forgetting. Fruitfulness comes first. Manasseh and Ephraim: Past and Fulfilment Joseph names his sons with care: Manasseh means “causing to forget” . He represents the release of the past , the former self, the sorrow, the effort, the memor...