The holy spirit made known to Jacob that Joseph was
coming to him,[361] and he strengthened himself, and sat upon
the bed in order to pay due respect to the representative of
the government. Though Joseph was his son, he was also
viceroy, and entitled to special marks of honor. Besides,
Jacob desired to make the impression of being a man
in good health. He wanted to avoid the possibility of having
his blessing of Joseph and Joseph's sons questioned as the
act of an irresponsible person.[362]

He strengthened himself spiritually as well as physically,
by prayer to God, in which he besought Him to let the holy
spirit descend upon him at the time of his giving the blessing
to the sons of Joseph.