How does the story of Jacob adopting Ephraim and Manasseh relate to God's grace?

The story of Jacob adopting Ephraim and Manasseh serves as a powerful metaphor for God’s grace towards believers. Jacob's declaration that Joseph's sons, born from a foreign land, would be considered his own illustrates how God's grace transcends lineage and merit. In the same way, God adopts us into His family regardless of our past or background. As highlighted in Ephesians 1:5, it was God's will and pleasure to adopt us through Jesus Christ, demonstrating that our inclusion in His family is based solely on His gracious initiative. This act of divine adoption reassures believers that they are accepted and cherished by God, called to a relationship of intimacy and inheritance.