Genesis 48
SIBGenesis 48:14
Laying on of hands was used, (1) In blessing a person; Mat. xix
Genesis 48:15
(2) In transferring the guilt of offenders on the sacrifices offered for them, and devoting them to God’s service: Lev. i. 4. and xvi
Genesis 48:21
(3) In judging, condemning, and punishing; Lev. xxiv. 14. (4) In the miraculous curing of distempers: Mark vi. 5. and xvi. 18. Luke iv. 40. and xiii. 13. Acts xix. 11. and xxviii. 5. (5) In conferring the miraculous influence of the Holy Ghost; Acts viii. 17. and xix. 6. (6) In ordination of men to office; Num. viii. 10, 20. and xxvii. 18, 23. Deut xxxiv. 9. Acts vi. 6. and xiv. 23
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLVIII.—It is becoming, and highly profitable, for children to visit their godly parents in their dying moments: and while it is necessary for parents to make their last wills with the greatest exactness, that there may be no disputes relative to them after they are dead, it is peculiarly useful and pleasant for them to commemorate at such a time God’s former kindnesses to their soul. How encouraging is it to found our prayers for, and our expectations of, the prosperity of our friends upon the promises of God, intimated to ourselves! and how pleasant to think of such deceased friends as we hope to meet in glory! The favours of God often exceed the hopes of his people, and sweetly compel them to the most abundant praise! and what a mercy is redemption through Jesus’ blood! It relishes in a dying hour, and is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Surely it becomes those who have shared it to mention the same, and bear testimony for God, for the encouragement of others whom they leave behind. How the sovereignty of God shines, in preferring one person or family to another! But rejoice, my soul, that the Lord hath made us Gentiles fruitful in the land of our affliction. He hath blessed our church with numbers and privileges far superior to those of Israel, his first-born. In infinite mercy, when our godly relations forsake us by death, our God remains with us! Nay, since Jesus has left us, by going to the Father, the Lord the Spirit supplies his place, to guard and guide us to the promised inheritance