Manassah and Ephraim

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: a "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." And the name of the second he called Ephraim: a "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." - Genesis 41v51-51

The naming of children in the Old Testament was very important. As Joseph began his new life in Egypt God blessed him with children. The first two sons were Manassah and Ephraim. In English their names would be Forgetting and Fruitful.

Their names reflected Joseph’s attitude to life. God had carried him through it all. God had allowed him to forget his past troubles and even what his brother’s had done to him. He knew that God had allowed him to be fruitful in his life.

These two particular names are especially interesting. Both names have their equivalents in New Testament principles. Part of our Christian living is that we are to press on, fortgetting rhe things that are behind and moving forward. As we saw yesterday there is also the principle of bearing fruit through endurance.

Forgetting and Fruitful are not just names for Joseph's boys. They should also be a part of the Christian's life.