Joseph stood the two children in front of Israel so that when Israel stretched out his right hand it would be on Manasseh's head, the eldest. "And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraims head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly for Manasseh was the first born". GEN.48:14. Notice that the Lord would have to intervene and have Israel cross his arms so that his right hand is on the younger child. Israel blessed Joseph and the two children, Verse 15,16. "and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth" verse 16. NOW Joseph notices that Israel has crossed his arms and his right hand is on Ephraims head instead of head of Manasseh, and he tries to remove it, Verse 17,18. "and 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. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh; and set Ephraim before Manasseh" .GEN.48.19,20. This is really really important in that you must understand it's full meaning.
When Israel blessed the two boys, Ephraim the younger, will mature into a nation first, powerful, rich, and abundant, and will control many places, the gateways of his enemy's, but Manasseh the elder will be a multitude or company of nations, and will be even richer and more powerful. This company of nations are a tightly knit group, and when combined make a very powerful nation. Ephraim develops ahead of Manasseh. In effect Israel adopted the two boys so the birthright passed to both of them, and also the name Israel, forever. It also binds the two of them together as friends, for the most part thinking and acting in the same general direction most times. You should have noticed that the name Israel was given to these two boys and NOT to the Judah tribe, most important. As we go on and identify these two nations you will see that this binding is still in effect even today.
You will see later that the name of Israel in use today is also a hidden key or doorway, that is designed to hide information until the latter days. This confuses many millions of people today, but should be very plain to you if you read the text in your Bible. Also notice that none of the other tribes will receive the blessings of nation or multitude. I hope this is very clear, because you will need it in the future.
"And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow". GEN.48:21,22. So Israel blesses Joseph and gives him twice what his other brothers receive. As I name these two countries you will see that it probably is far more than twice. Also notice that Israel shall return to the home land sometime in the future. This means that they must leave in order to return. The Jews, or the nation of Judah, have NEVER left there homeland, except for a 70 year time period, while at this same time period, there were NO Israelites present. Only Israel was captured and taken away, to a foreign land and have not returned yet. "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days".GEN.49:1.
There blessings then, are FOR NOW this very time period. Each tribe is blessed, some better than others and in verse 2 of Chapter 49 it states they will all be part of Israel. Verses 3 to 28 are the actual blessings and I will let you read them. Notice that in Verses 8 to 12, is the blessings of tribe of Judah and that they are to look after the scripture. The Jews have looked after the scripture (the old Testament) for many centuries. Judah receives nothing else. All the power, money, land, fruit, cattle and might goes to Israel the tribes other than Judah , NOT to the Jewish tribes. Also notice the name Israel may be used by any of the 12 tribes, but belongs to the 2 boys, Ephraim and Manasseh, 2 separate nations. Let my name be on them GEN.48:16. So all the money, power, riches, passes to the descendant's of these two boys, in a distant land, not to the Jews. I really have to emphasize this, The Nation of Israel (or the lost 10 tribes), are not Jewish, and were removed from Israel. The House of Judah, the three Jewish tribes did NOT leave, although they also were defeated. Please remember that, the 3 Jewish tribes NEVER left the Palestine area, only the 10 tribes were taken away. Yes 10 and 3 make 13, but the Levites were then and are yet today the Holy people for all the tribes, but had no land. They lived very well off the tithe or the 10% donation from each of the other tribes. They kind of represent all the tribes, but Jacob splits his name into 2,..... Ephraim and Manasseh, which do not materialize for many centuries.
The descendants of Abraham remained united until into the Book of Kings. They would all at this timebe , Jewish in religion and each of the tribes being part of the Israelite group. I.KINGS.12:16 a split occurred with King Rehoboam. This also split the religion. Benjamin remained with Judah and retained the Jewish religion and continue on as Israelites. The other tribes carried out the appearance of the Jewish religion but with dates and sacrifices changed (I.KINGS.16:17-33) were no longer Jewish but do continue on as Israelites. These tribes become the bases of todays Christians