The Crossed Hands of God

“But his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.”

(Genesis 48:19, KJV)

Introduction

God does not bless according to human order. What we expect, He often overturns. When Jacob crossed his hands to bless Joseph’s sons, he was not making a mistake. He was obeying divine direction. It was not confusion. It was prophecy.

Devotional Insight

Joseph brought his two sons to be blessed. Manasseh, the older, was placed at Jacob’s right hand. Ephraim, the younger, at the left. But Jacob crossed his hands. The right hand landed on Ephraim. The left on Manasseh.

Joseph objected. “Not so, my father.” But Jacob refused. “I know it, my son, I know it.” He was not blind. He was being led by the Spirit of God.

That small movement, crossing hands, spoke volumes. It showed that God chooses by purpose, not by rank. The younger would be greater. The older would be blessed, but not lead.

And it happened just as Jacob said.

In the generations that followed, Ephraim rose to prominence. When the kingdom of Israel divided, the ten northern tribes came to be known by one name: Ephraim. That tribe held leadership, influence, and spiritual identity. They produced strong warriors, prophets, and kings. Though Manasseh was mighty, Ephraim became greater, exactly as the prophecy declared.

This was the hand of God, not the hand of tradition.

What This Means

You may feel you have been placed on the left, less seen, less favored. But God’s hand is not limited by man’s placement. He can cross over any line, override any system, and bless who He chooses.

Do not envy the position of others. Wait for His hand. Trust His placement. God may be crossing His hands in your life right now.

The cross of hands may look backward to man, but it is forward to God.

Think About This

Are you clinging to a position that God never promised? Are you upset because someone else received what you thought belonged to you? Or are you willing to let God decide who He blesses and how?

Let your confidence rest in His decision, not your arrangement.

Prayer

Lord, I surrender my expectations to You. I will not argue with where You place Your hand. Whether I am called to lead or to follow, let me be faithful. Teach me to trust Your purpose even when it breaks human order. I believe You know what You are doing. Amen.

Closing Verse

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”

(Isaiah 55:8, KJV)