December 6, 2020
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;
Well that was a very varied group of blessings but I think we can all agree I would take Joseph’s over all of them!
Genesis 49
As I read Jacob’s sharing about the days to come for his sons, I couldn’t help wondering if they could hear what he said to the others. I also wondered how much Jacob relied on insight gained from God and how much he relied on his insight as a father. How important it is as a parent to tell it like it is but not wait too long to say it. And also to say it with compassion, especially the hard stuff.
What is said to Judah is the most significant as far as the scepter not passing from him. Jesus the Messiah will come through his line and will be the one who fulfills what Jacob says. It also struck me that Levi is noted for his violence and yet it is his line that will be the priestly one. God uses all sorts to accomplish His will and uses broken vessels. It we know that best ourselves, amen?
Jacob/Israel gives his final blessing to his sons, which is really a detailed prophesy of their future.
“When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.”
Jacob appears to have the energy to give a very coherent message to each of his twelve sons and when he is done, he dies. People hope for a death like this: surrounded by loved ones, imparting a word of wisdom and then departing quickly go to meet the Lord.
Genesis 49
9You are a lion’s cub, Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
10The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.
12His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.