In chapter 48 we saw Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons. The story of Joseph, the 11th son of Jacob is interwoven into the greater story of Jacob. Jacob is the key character of Genesis. He is the father of the 12 sons who will eventually form the nation of Israel. It is the story of God’s providence, rooted in His covenantal faithfulness. It is this faithfulness that keeps this family, and ultimately all God’s people against all human odds. That which God had promised to Abraham in 12:1ff - namely that He would make his family into great nations, begins to find fulfilment in the 12 tribes of Israel. It will be 400 years before they will come into the land promised on oath to Abraham.
This passage divides into two
sections:
·
49:1-27
The prophetic word / blessing of Jacob for each of his sons.
·
49:28-33
Final words and death of Jacob
· Other examples of fathers who spoke final words to their sons : Noah (Gen. 9:24-28); Isaac (Gen. 27); Moses (Deut. 33), Joshua (Josh.24), Samuel (1 Sam.12)
In this chapter we find Jacob having a personal word with each one of his sons. It reads more like a prophecy: “That I may tell you what shall happen in days to come”. Jacob is thus looking into the future – even the distant future as we shall see. It also rests on present observations concerning the 12 sons. Most of it shall happen, not in the lifetime of these 12 men, but as these tribes develop, and especially over four hundred years later when their tribes enter into the land of Canaan. Some of his words anticipate the coming of the great Son of David - our Lord Jesus Christ!
We will consider what
Jacob has to say to each one of
his sons in turn, before we close with
some vital observations and applications
for our own use. The list of sons are chronological (i.e. as
they are born).
1. 49:3-4 Reuben
Reuben, born to Leah is acknowledged as the first born. As
such he possesses dignity and pre-eminence.
And yet Reuben has done an unthinkable thing in Genesis 35:22. He had slept with his father's concubine, Bilhah-
the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali (Gen. 30:3-8). Though nothing
is said in Genesis 35, this matter was not forgotten. In his parting words Jacob
makes his displeasure strongly known. He says that Reuben is as unstable as water (49:4).
Reuben has a strong character flaw. He
fails to control himself. He is unstable. And because of this Reuben would have
no pre-eminence. In 1 Chronicles 5:1-2, we see that he forfeited his first born status to the sons
of Joseph. As we survey the Bible we see
that his tribe produced no
prophet, judge or king. No great leaders
of Israel came out of Reuben. Although
he remains a son of Jacob, and a member of the tribe of Israel, sin has robbed
him of his status as firstborn. We have seen this same tendency
with Esau in Gen. 25:29ff.
2. 49: 5-7 Simeon and Levi.
Simeon and Levi, are the 2nd and 3rd
born sons of Leah. They too did a horrible thing in Genesis 34. Jacob makes it
clear that they acted contrary to God’s Word when they mercilessly killed
the Shechemites, following the rape of
their sister Dinah. There is a difference between a God-ordained warfare (e.g.
Abraham in Gen. 14- repossessing Lot; and the conquest of Canaan under Joshua) and a
massacre which is based upon a desire for vengeance. God alone makes that
distinction. Simeon and Levi stepped
over the line by their violence. We
shall see that both of these tribes were divided and scattered in Israel. The
tribe of Simeon actually became absorbed into Judah. It disappeared. The tribe
of Levi was scattered throughout Israel (they possessed no territory of their
own) and eventually became the priestly
clan of the land. In fact in time they
were rewarded for their loyalty at a time of national apostasy (Ex. 32:26-29 – the golden calf episode; Num. 18:1-6; 35:1-8)
3. 49:8-12 Judah
Judah, whose name means praise ….”Your brothers shall praise you…” (49:8) becomes the
subject of the most remarkable prophecy.
It stretches far into the future. To him Jacob not
only speaks of the dominion that Judah would have over their enemies (particularly under David and Solomon) and
over the other tribes of Israel, but this portion points forward to the reign of Christ- the Messiah- the Lion of Judah from
the root of David.
Those who rule in Judah will do so “until
tribute comes to Him…” (49:10b) lit. “until
Shiloh comes”. To this future ruler all nations will gather in obedience. His reign will be marked by great prosperity.
This is conveyed poetically through the image of a young donkey tied to a choice vine and clothing washed in wine.
This is the richness and the prosperity associated with the days of the Messiah. He washes His
garments in wine. This passage is also related
to Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey (Mk 11:1-10). One of Israel’s symbolic names was “the Vine”. Jesus was indeed tied to Israel. He sought the lost sheep in Israel.
One more thing. The fact that Judah is chosen for this is not
because there was anything meritorious in him- there wasn’t. The story of Judah
in Genesis 38 doesn’t make pretty reading. Judah’s unique blessing was not because he was
more worthy. His appointment was by the
grace of God alone. This was the sovereign will of God. (see Ps.
78:67-68)
4. 49:13 Zebulun
Zebulun (6th
son of Leah name means ‘ dwelling’) shall
dwell at the shore of the sea. This tribe would be prosperous through its
association with Sidon, a prosperous neighbouring coastal people and a
seafaring nation.
Although Issachar (5th son of Leah) was before Zebulun he follows Issachar here. Issachar, we are told became a servant / slave to others. The reason given may be that being settled in a good and pleasant land he relaxed too soon / became complacent. A people addicted to good things and easy living may become addicted to their ease and become soft. They invite others to rule over them.
The sons of the servants, Bilhah and Zilpah 49:16-21
6. 49: 16-17 Dan
Dan (firstborn of Bilhah; his name means judge) shall judge his people. His tribe was the smallest in Israel. He produced one of the judges of Israel, Samson. Dan was “a serpent in the way” – treacherous, not a nice guy. The people of Dan are mentioned in Judges 18, and are associated with the stealing of Micah's idols and share thus in that particular plague and sin. Significantly Dan is not mentioned among the tribes of Israel in Revelation7: 5-8. Is this an indication of judgment on the tribe of Dan? In the light of that it seems that Jacob’s prayer in 49:18 is an indication of his exasperation: "I wait for your salvation O LORD." Perhaps Jacob knows Dan’s devious heart, and he is praying to God for future mercy.
7. 49:19 Gad
Gad (first born of Zilpah) settled in the Transjordan with the half tribe of Manasseh and Reuben. In this region he would be the victim of border raids by Midianites, Ammonites and Arabs. But we are told that he would overcome even in that adversity and he would raid those who raid him, and would succeed. The tribe of Gad became skilled warriors and helped David (1 Chron.12:8)
8. 49: 20 Asher
Asher (second son of Zilpah – “the lucky or fortunate one”) was going to be situated along the seacoast north of Mt.Carmel- one of the most fruitful areas in the promised land. His land would provide food fit for a king.
9. 49:21 Naphtali
Of Naphtali (2nd son of Bilhah – “wrestling”) it is said that he
is like a deer let loose, bearing
beautiful fawns. He is associated with Deborah and Barak as they served as
judges in Israel. Maybe Judges 5, and
the song of Deborah, fulfills that
particular prophecy.
The sons of Rachel
10. 49: 22-26 Joseph
Jacob speaks of Joseph (first son of Rachel) being a fruitful bow. But Jacob also thinks of what Joseph's brothers had done to him, and what the Egyptians had done to him. He remembered the trial and tribulation that Joseph went through, and yet he prevailed. But no sooner could he speak of Joseph prevailing, than he has to trace the source of Joseph's success right back to the God who is the shepherd, God who is the stone, God who is the almighty, the God who is the God of His fathers. That is the source of Joseph's ability to prevail. And so Jacob rehearses the names of God. He pronounces specific blessings on Joseph and his sons. Jacob acknowledges that his blessings upon Joseph have exceeded the blessing that he had been given by his father Isaac. Ephraim will become the biggest tribe.
11. 49:27 Benjamin.
As the last born son of Rachel, the loved wife of Jacob,
Jacob has a formidable word for him, perhaps
hinting at the violent actions of the tribe of Benjamin in Judges 19-21. And yet, many great men came out of Benjamin. Ehud, the judge was from Benjamin. Saul, the first king of Israel, was
from Benjamin. Paul, the apostle was of the
tribe of Benjamin.
2.
49: 28-33 JACOB’S FINAL WORDS
“This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.” (49:28) This verse provides us with an interpretative key to the approach Joseph took: He blessed them! And blessing means speaking God’s truth over His sons. Blessing does not ignore sin. Jacob mentions their sin and weaknesses and warns his offspring that they need to remember their sinful histories and inclinations. These things were not spoken to a perfect people. These were fallen Adam’s sons after all. And please note that the covenant promises of God, the love and the favour and the mercy of God are not withheld from any of them. That is the chiefest of blessing! These 12 sons are God’s chosen people, and He chose them not because they were good, but because He loved them (see Deut. 7:7,8).He chose them for His own sake. From them, and from the tribe of Judah would come the lion of Judah, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer who would ultimately purchase a people for Himself.
Remember
then that the Word of God comes to us unworthy
men and women against the very same background: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us !” (Rom. 5: 8)
With all this in mind then, Jacob pointed them to the promised land. He requires his sons to bury him in that promised land here symbolised by Machpelah where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah, and Leah are buried.
We are reminded that far beyond that promised land
lies THE promised land with the city that has foundations whose
designer and builder is God (Hebr. 11:10).
Abraham was looking for that city! So 49:10
is the key verse which reminds us that all this is far beyond the land of
Canaan. It looks to the time when Judah's reign will be extended infinitely in
the reign of Shiloh. Christians from the earliest times have recognized as the
Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Shiloh.
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