Why Ephraim ?
 

And Joseph took them both,Eprhraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh in his left hand toward israel's right hand and brought them near unto him.
And Israel stretched out his right hand,and laid it upon Ephraim's head,guiding his hands wittingly for Manasseh was the firstborn. GEN.48:13,14

Why did Israel bless Ephraim with his right hand,and not Manasseh who was the first born ? Why did Israel place His left hand on Manasseh ?

What caused Israel to do this ? Did this have something to do with the promise Of God to Abraham?

How much of this was according to God's election ?

Re: Why Ephraim ?
 

No takers,boy doesn't anybody out there have any ideas ?

Re: Why Ephraim ?
 

Scott I have heard but to be honest I don't remember what the reason they gave was.

I'll have to think back on it.

Re: Why Ephraim ?
 

It goes along with a common thing in the Old Testament.
The first born is rejected and the second born becomes the dominant or blessed one.
This happened with Cain and Abel.
It happened with Ishmael and Isaac.
It happened with Esau and Jacob/Israel.
It pictures our first birth being rejected and our status with God is based on our second birth.
The first born Manasseh was replaced by the second born Ephraim by a cross (Jacob crossed his arms to place his hands on their heads that way)