Genesis 48-50

“However, his younger brother shall be greater than he” (48:19).  Last of the individual patriarchs, Jacob/Israel was dying.  He blessed his children with prophetic words, including this statement that Ephraim, Joseph’s younger son, would be greater than Manassah, the eldest.  God was saying again that His ways are different than ours, and His people were to reflect His glory, not their own natural strength. 

Younger sons like Jacob and Ephraim, barren women like Sarah and Rebeccah, and refugees like the Israelites in Egypt are the ones God chose to carry His message of salvation.