May 14, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 49 (NIV)
Jacob Blesses His Sons
1 Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.
2“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob;
listen to your father Israel.……Continue Reading
Genesis 49
Jacob gathered the remaining sons which Jacob called them out on the evil things they had done in their past. Noted that he never found out about the selling of Joseph. Maybe because Joseph absolved them saying it was God’s will. He held no grudge.
Another reason we should repent daily and confess to God our sins immediately.Even though we do not get to heaven on works but without repentance there is no grace? Correct me if I am wrong.
Oh, there is grace and forgiveness, but no power, fellowship or usefulness in His kingdom.
Thank you Pastor Peter!
Linda, it struck me too that the last words were not so pleasant, say to Reuben. Not thinking there were blessings, but rather, predictions based on observed behaviors and character. Would not liked to be on the receiving end! Great last words for Joseph, and Judah, though perplexing….reb
Genesis 49…
“he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last…”
Gotta love the little details.
Judah and Joseph have the longest prophecies. Clearly see Jesus in the prophecy of Judah.
”And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.“
Genesis 49:1-2 NKJV
Jacob prophesies over his sons.
2 Timothy 1-4.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.4.7.NIV
Genesis 49. Tough words to hear for most of the brothers, for sure.
Genesis 49
Genesis 49
Jacob apparently does know his sons. We have seen him observe his sons and often times not stepping in to prevent something from being worse than it did like when Dinah was raped. But whether he was aware of what his sons did to Joseph we really don`t know for sure. But after he dies the brothers by messenger send Joseph a command by Jacob that he forgive his brothers of what they did to Joseph. Joseph cries and seems to believe that this was from Jacob. Gen. 50: 16,17. But going back to chapter 49; Jacob calls his sons to his bedside for he is about to die. He gives them all his blessings but some are not too good. He seems to describe who they are but also what will happen to them and their tribes in the future. Reuben; he at first praises for he is his first born. He says that he is his strength. He should had been a leader and had a double portion but instead was as unstable water because he had greatly failed his father by committing adultery with Jacob`s concubine. { Bilhah}. Reuben`s birth right was given to Joseph because of his sin. 1 Chron. 5:1. In the time of the Judges; the tribe of Reuben were characterized by irresolution. Judges 5:15,16. Then Jacob blesses his 2nd and 3rd sons. { Simeon and Levi }. He refers to them as instruments of cruelty, and uncontrolled anger. They had no regard for men and animals. We saw what they did earlier with the slaughter of the Shechemites. Here is what The Bible Knowledge Commentary says : [ Here was God`s moral judgment on the slaughter of the Shechemites. 34: 25-29. God distinguishes holy war from vengeance. Both tribes were latter scattered. 49: 7. Simeon was largely disintegrated with it`s land inside that of Judah; Josh. 19: 1,9, but Levi was afforded an honorable dispersion because it was the priestly tribe. Josh. 21]. God is such a merciful God. He made this tribe the priests. Then Jacob blesses the forth son. { Judah}. He says that all the other tribes will bow before Judah. This is a reference to Jesus the Messiah who will come from the tribe of Judah. He will be like a lion and His scepter will not depart from Judah. These are the first four sons. The next two sons by Leah are Zebulun and Issachar although they are actually sons 10 and 9. Not too much is said of them here. Issachar will often become a servant under tribute and Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea. These are the six sons by Leah.
Genesis 49
Genesis 50
Last time I mentioned only the six sons that Jacob had with Leah which is half the tribes. I am skipping over to the two sons that Rachel had. They were Joseph and Benjamin. They were the two youngest of the 12 sons. Joseph has been brought to this time and place to save the 12 tribes of Israel. He is now like a prince and Jacob blesses him accordingly. Here is a interesting statement by : The Bible Knowledge Commentary. [ Jacob took up the promise of fruitfulness from the name of Joseph`s son Ephraim which means fruitful and lavished the promise of victory and prosperity on Joseph`s two tribes. Victory in battle was experienced by Joshua, Deborah, and Samuel, all of the tribe of Ephraim, and by Gideon and Jephthah, both of Manasseh`s tribe.] Then we have Benjamin who Jacob describes as a ravenous, devouring wolf. From The Bible Knowledge Commentary: [ The cruel Benjamites in Jud. 20, and Saul, a Benjamite, in 1 Sam. 9: 1-2; 19: 10; 22;17.] Here is question to perhaps consider. Who raised Benjamin as a child? For Rachel died having him. Perhaps it was her hand maid [ Bilhah} who had two children for Jacob. Both Dan and Naphtali. Just a guess because of the numbers. Perhaps there was also sisters.
The remaining four sons are Dan and Naphtali both by Bilhah. And Gad and Asher by Zilpah. Dan who his name means judge instead was like a serpent that would bite. Here is a statement by The Bible Knowledge Commentary. [ but the tribe chose treachery, like a snake by the roadside. In the time of Judges the first major practice of idolatry appeared in the tribe of Dan. Jud. 18:30. Naphtali like a doe would be a free mountain people. In Judges, Deborah sang of the people of this tribe. This tribe according to the commentary settled northwest of the Sea of Kinnereth { Galilee}. Gad it is said that they settled east of the Jordan River. 1 Chron. 5:18,19. Border raids were often made there. Asher would be fertile and productive, providing rich food. This tribe settled along the rich northern coast of Canaan.
Pastor, I forgot to change my comments over to mine on Rachel`s two sons. Not only that but after realizing after I also made comments on also the rest of the sons; I lost what I wrote. So I won`t rewrite that again.
no problem Dennis. Thanks for letting me/us know. And sorry to hear you lost what you wrote…been there, done that!
It is interesting that some of Jacob’s statements reflect on his sons’ past and confront them on decisions they have made that will result in consequences for the future, while others focus more on the future. A good reminder that our choices today set a course for what tomorrow will bring. Most notable of the prophecies are of Judah, pointing to the rulership that he will have and the One who would come to establish that rule forever. Joseph is also of note as Jacob recognizes all that he has because of Joseph and so blessings are bestowed upon him. And so here they are, with their futures ahead of them as the chosen 12 tribes of Israel. So much potential, and so much potential squandered because of their forsaking the very God who chose them and set them apart.
Genesis 49
It is clear through each son’s blessing the choices they have made throughout their lives, whether Jacob knew about them or not, God knew and their blessings were reflective of that. We must be conscious of the fact that choices have consequences and even when we have moved past something and maybe even repented those choices may have left an impact on others that forever changes our relationship. Sometimes hurts resurface, and realities of trust come up, and we can not be too surprised when it is based in the truth of our own past actions.