The book of Hebrews tells us that when Jacob rallied his strength to bless Joseph’s children, it was an act of faith; and not only an act of faith, but one worthy of mention alongside Abraham’s
near-sacrifice of Isaac, the crossing of the Red Sea and the fall of the walls
of Jericho.
I’m not quite sure how to picture this scene, but it is the last act of a very old man who has come a very long way
with God. At the beginning of chapter 48, Israel summons his strength and
sits up on his deathbed to give his benediction. Probably he swings his legs down to the floor, sitting
on the edge of the bed. When he finishes, at the end of chapter 49, he
pulls his legs back into bed and breathes his last.
Job done. Quite the way to go, when you think about it.