Daily Devotional

“To Joseph were born two sons … and the name of the second he called Ephraim: ‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction’” (Genesis 41:50, 52). 

Do you enjoy eating apples? Maybe you like the sweet and juicy Braeburn, or the tender and crisp Fuji. Many people love the firm texture and flavour of the Honeycrisp. The Pink Lady has a tropical flavour with hints of banana and pineapple. Some folks like making dried apple rings from the Liberty. 

If you went to an apple orchard to pick twelve apple varieties, then you’d have to go to twelve different trees—unless you were visiting Paul Barnett. This horticulturist from Great Britain has spent twenty-four years meticulously developing a special apple tree in his back yard. As of 2013, Paul has grafted 250 varieties of apples onto one tree. Barnett got started when he wanted to plant a variety of apple trees in his yard but didn’t have the room. So, he created a fruitful “family tree” of apples. 

We don’t know if Ephraim, the second son of Joseph, loved apples. But this younger brother of Manasseh was named by his father “double fruitfulness.” His grandfather, Jacob, claimed him (and his brother) as heirs. When Jacob blessed these boys, he crossed his arms and purposely placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim, indicating a greater blessing. Of this younger son, Jacob stated that “his descendants shall become a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19). 

While the Israelites wandered through the wilderness on their way to Canaan, the tribe of Ephraim was one of the smallest in number. But after the conquest of the Promised Land, it rapidly grew in size and importance. God blessed the fruitfulness of this son of Joseph. 

The Lord wants each of us to be fruitful as well, not as much in producing offspring as in developing the fruits of the Spirit in our characters. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Genesis 5:22). Imagine nine different fruits in one life! 

Precious Lord, today I will abide in Jesus and allow the power of His life to flow into me that I may grow more like Him.