Genesis 48:19 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Ephraim shall he greater — When the tribes were mustered in the wilderness Ephraim was more numerous than Manasseh, and had the standard of that squadron, Numbers 1:32-33, Numbers 1:35-2, Numbers 2:20, and is named first, Psalms 80:2. Joshua was of that tribe. The tribe of Manasseh was divided, one half on one side Jordan, the other half on the other side, which made it the less powerful and considerable. God, in bestowing his blessings upon his people, gives more to some than to others, more gifts, graces and comforts, and more of the good things of this life. And he often gives most to those that are least likely: he chuseth the weak things of the world, raiseth the poor out of the dust. Grace observes not the order of nature, nor doth God prefer those whom we think fittest to be preferred but as it pleaseth him.