SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 49
BIBLE VERSES:
“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.” (Genesis 49:22-25)
JACOB BLESSES HIS SONS (vs. 1-28)
The blessings of Jacob to his 12 sons – the twelve tribes of Israel:
Reuben – You are my first born, sign of my strength, honor and power. But you defiled my bed and will no longer excel.
Simeon and Levi – – You are fierce and cruel. Your swords are weapons of violence. You have killed men in anger. I will scatter you in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.
Judah – You are a lion’s cub. The scepter will not depart from you.
Zebulun – You will live by the seashore and became a haven for ships with border extended toward Sidon.
Issachar – You will submit to forced labor.
Dan – You will provide justice for the people and as one of the tribes of Israel.
Gad – You will be attacked by a band or riders but you will attack them at their heels.
Asher – You will be rich in food and provide delicacies fir for a king.
Naphtali – You are a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
Joseph – You are a fruitful vine near a spring whose branches climb over a wall. The Almighty will help you bless you with blessings from heaven.
Benjamin – You are a ravenous wolf that devours the prey in the morning and divides the plunder in the evening.
THOUGHTS:
Reuben was the first born and should have inherited double blessings of right and glory. But because he had dishonorably defiled his father’s bed, he lost the blessings.
Simeon and Levi were sons of Leah who enticed the men of Shechem to circumcise with the agreement to let their men marry their sister. But while the men were still in pain, they murdered them in revenge for raping her sister.
Judah was identified with the lion, the kingly beast. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah.
Zebulun was connected with ships and sea.
Issachar was a humble servant willing to bear their burden.
Dan will provide justice for his people.
Gad means a troop that was connected with war. He will be a strong leader if he trusted in God.
Asher was connected with riches.
Naphtali – was compared to a loose deer who knew how to use powerful languages.
Joseph – was a fruitful vine and prince among his brothers. Among his descendants were Joshua, Deborah, Gideon and Jephthah.
Benjamin – was compared to a wolf catching the prey he pursued and then enjoying it at night. Both King Saul, a conqueror and apostle Paul came from the tribe of Benjamin.
The way athe men had lived played an important part in Jacob’s blessings and prophesy. Therefore, we should be aware that our actions of today will become part of the past. It is going to shape our future.
Jesus, the promised Messiah came from the tribe of Judah. Why was Judah so greatly blessed to become the the ancestor of Israel’s line of kings when he had sold Joseph into slavery? It was because of his dramatic change of character and repentance. No matter what sin you have committed before, if you truly repented, you will still receive God’s blessings.