Purpose: To understand the prophetic utterances of Jacob to the blooming Israeli nation as it prepares to leave Egypt to return to the Promised Land.

Transcription

1 Purpose: To understand the prophetic utterances of Jacob to the blooming Israeli nation as it prepares to leave Egypt to return to the Promised Land. Prophecies of Jacob I. Prophecies to Joseph 48: Joseph takes his sons to Jacob (48:1-7) 2. Jacob blesses Joseph s sons (48:8-16) 3. Jacob informs Joseph that Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh (48:17-22) II. Prophecies to Jacob s Sons (49:1-28) 1. Prologue: Jacob called all his sons together so that he could tell them what would befall them in the latter days (1 2). 2. Reuben lost the birthright because of his sin (3 4). a. Jacob praised Reuben as the beginning of his strength (3). b. Jacob disqualified him because of his sin (4). 3. Simeon and Levi would be dispersed because of their fierce and unjustified anger (5 7). a. Jacob lamented over how cruel and murderous Simeon and Levi were (5 6). b. Jacob cursed them for their wrath, dispersing them among the other heirs of the land (7). 4. Judah would receive the kingship and anticipate a time of abundance because he would act in a valiant and praiseworthy manner (8 12). a. Jacob gave Judah the authority over his brothers because he would act valiantly and they would praise him (8). b. Using the figure of a lion with its prey, Jacob described the might of Judah (9). c. Jacob predicted that the rulership would remain with Judah until the rightful heir came (10). d. Jacob described the abundance of the time of Judah s reign (11 12). 5. Zebulun would dwell by the sea and be a haven for ships (13). 6. Issachar would prefer ease and luxury to the hard work and freedom for which he was equipped (14 15). 7. Dan, although small, would help his brothers against oppression (16 18). 8. Gad would be raided by marauding bands but would fight back (19). 9. Asher s land would be so fertile that he could deliver delicacies to royalty (20). 10. Naphtali would be a swift messenger with a message of victory (21). 11. Joseph would prosper abundantly and, when fiercely attacked by his enemies, would be successful because of the help of the God of his father a blessing that gave Joseph a position above the others (22 26). a. Jacob declared that Joseph would be fruitful (22). b. Jacob predicted that Joseph would be fiercely attacked by his enemies (23). c. Jacob explained that the God of the fathers would continue to protect and bless Joseph (24 25). d. The blessings that Joseph would receive would be greater than those of the others (26). 12. Benjamin will be successful and share his substance (27). 13. Epilogue: This is Jacob s blessing on the twelve tribes (28).

2 The Prophecies of Jacob About Joseph 48:1-22 Joseph brings his sons to Jacob 48:1-48:7 Reflecting back to Genesis 47:28, we see that near the end of Jacob s 17 years in Egypt, the events in Chapter 48 take place. If you read this straight through (47:27-48:22), you begin to think this is done in reverse chronological order. This way of writing is again that introductory summary that we often see in Hebrew writings, where a summary is presented and then the expansion (or details) are given later. 48:1-7 In this section Jacob greets Joseph and his two sons by reflecting upon his past and everything God has promised and done for him. Genesis 48:4 is a brief restatement of the Abrahamic Covenant. 1. I will make you fruitful and multiply you - Blessing 2. I will make you a company of peoples - Nation 3. I will give this land to your seed after you for an everlasting possession - Land Then Jacob says something that might seem odd to us, but what he is saying is that Joseph s two sons shall have the inheritance of being Jacob s sons. In essence, these two grandchildren take the place of Joseph in the naming of tribes and the land grants. Some have suggested that Ephraim and Manasseh take the place of Reuben and Simeon, but that does not seem to be substantiated at any point. In verse 7, Jacob seems to be reflecting upon Joseph s mother and that now she has three sons not just two. We need to remember that the glory of the woman is in her children. Not having any is seen as a curse and as the number of children increase the blessing of the woman is multiplied exponentially. 48: When Jacob inquired about the two boys, Joseph set them in position to be blessed because Jacob could not see. Jacob mused at the fact that he never expected to see Joseph again but now he gets to see his sons. Joseph places them in position to be blessed. One to Jacob s left hand (the younger) and one to Jacob s right hand (the elder). Then as Jacob begins to bless them, he crosses his hands. Joseph at this time has his face to the ground (verse 12) and does not see this subtle move. Then Jacob prays to God, the God of Abraham and Isaac, the God who is his Shephard, then Jacob call God the Angel. This is in reflection to the Angel of the Lord who is the Son, a Christophany. Bless the lads and may my name live on in them is a call for them to be recognized as heads of tribes for Israel. As was stated before, they replace Joseph and are counted as brothers with Jacob s sons. 48:17-22 Joseph looks up and sees Jacob s hands and attempts to correct Jacob. Perhaps he thought that Jacob was confused. But Jacob stated clearly that he knew what he was doing and stated clearly that Ephraim was going to be greater than Manasseh. The statement in verse 20 was probably a blessing used throughout all Israel and Ephraim is stated first. The statement that was recited in Israel may not have been fully understood until this passage of Genesis was read and understood. Why did Jacob bless the sons of Joseph before blessing all the other sons? The answer is taken from the chapter and inferred that Jacob desired to have a special blessing to the son that was faithful to God and was used to preserve life. The grandsons are given a special blessing.

3 About the twelve 49:1-28 A summons by Jacob 49:1-2 In most translations, this is written as poetic prose rather than narrative paragraph. This passage is seen by Rabbinic scholars as one of the most important passages in Scripture and is emphasized in Rabbinic theology. This account is different than a standard patriarchal blessing. It is also a prophetic telling. בּ אַח ר ית ה יּ מ ים The days to come is the Hebrew clause (be aharit ha yamim) and is used thirteen times in the Hebrew Scriptures (Numbers 24:14; Deuteronomy 4:30; 31:29; Isaiah 2:2; Jeremiah 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Ezekiel 38:16; Daniel 10:14; Hosea 3:5; Micah 4:1). All of these usages speak of a distant future, not an immediate future. Some see these statements as being fulfilled during the time of Moses and Joshua; some see this as being partial fulfilment throughout Israel s history; some see this as mainly eschatological with some references to Israeli history, and some see this as strictly eschatological. The passage seems to be characteristic and prophetic. The history and future history seem to relate to the characteristics of each tribe. The characteristic is seen throughout history but there is also significant eschatological understanding. Genesis 49:3-4 Reuben His incestuous act with Bilhah, his father s concubine (Gen 35:22) Reuben advised his brothers not to kill Joseph, and returned to the pit to release him (Gen 37:21,29) Reuben s forfeited birthright was given to Joseph (1 st Chronicles 5:1,2) The tribe of Reuben was involved in the rebellion in the wilderness (Numbers 16:1) Genesis 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi Levi Simeon Avenged the rape of Dinah (Gen. 34) Zeal against idolatry a cause for their appointment to the priesthood (Ex 32:26-28; Deut 33:9,10; Mal 2:4,5) Exempt from enrollment for military duty (Num 1:47-54, 1 Chr 12:26) Subordinate to the sons of Aaron (Num 3:9; 8:19; 18:6) Teachers of the Law (Deut 33:10; 2 Chr 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3) Were judges (Deut 17:9; 1 Chr 23:4; 26:29; 2 Chr 19:8-11) Guarded king s person and house in times of danger (2 Kgs 11:5-9; 2 Chr 23:5-7) No land grant Associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites Gen 34:25,26 Detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage Gen 42:24 "Divided and scattered" (Gen 49:5-7) o Decreased in the wilderness by 2/3 (Num 1:23; 26:14) o Dwindled in number; sank into insignificance Moses pronounces no blessing on this tribe. They didn t lose their identity: o 13 Simeonite princes in days of Hezekiah (1 Chr 4:34-38) o Land was absorbed by Judah

4 Genesis 49:8-12 Judah Intercedes for Joseph s life; proposes sale to the Ishmaelites (Gen. 37:26,27) The scepter shall depart from Judah until Shiloh comes until He comes to Whom it belongs Loyal to the house of David at the time of the revolt of the ten tribes (1 Kgs 12:20) Led first division of Israel in its journeys (Num 10:14) Commissioned of God to lead in the conquest of the Promised Land (Judges 1) Recognized David as God s chosen king (2 Sam 2:1-11; 5:4,5) Jewish priests believe that this promise is forfeited: Woe unto us for the scepter has departed from Judah and the Messiah has not come! (Babylonian Talmud BC4 when Herod the Great died and Caponius was deemed Procurator AD 7) Genesis 49:13 Zebulun In Galilee, to the north of Issachar and south of Asher and Naphtali, between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean (Joshua 19:10-16) This part of Galilee enjoyed a large share of Jesus public ministry (Isa 9:1,2 Mt 4:12-16) Genesis 49:14-15 Issachar The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob corresponds with that of Moses (Gen 49:14,15; Deut 33:18,19) Only Judah and Dan are stronger when they enter the land Genesis 49:16-18 Dan First to fall into idolatry (Judg 18:30) Slighted in genealogies: o Names of his sons omitted (Gen 46:23; Num 26:42) o Name blotted out: (1 Chr 1-10; Rev 7) Genesis 49:19 Gad This tribe was fierce and warlike; o they were "strong men of might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield and weapon, their faces the faces of lions" (1 st Ch 12:8 5:19-22) o Elijah was of this tribe (1 st Kings 17:1) Genesis 49:20 Asher Settled in northern part: Mt. Lebanon to Med. Incl. Josh 19:24-31 Royal workmen and materials for Solomon (David; 2 Sam 5:11; 1 Kgs 5:1-10) Kept Passover under Hezekiah (2 Chr 30:1,10,11) To this tribe belonged the prophetess Anna (Lk 2:36) Genesis 49:21 Naphtali They settle in the mountains of the north, a picture of a free people Were great in warfare (Judges 4) Were known for their eloquence (Judges 5) Genesis 49:22-26 Joseph Added two brothers to the mix (surpassing blessing) Distinguished Both Ephraim and Manasseh are favored in Israel

5 Genesis 49:27 Benjamin Known as ferocious: Judg 19:16; 2 Sam 2:15,16; 1 Chr 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chr 17:17 Notable heroes include: Ehud, who delivered Israel from the Moabites Saul, the first king & Jonathan (1 Sam 9:1) Queen Esther (Esther 2:5) Apostle Paul (Rom 11:1) Eschatology significance Today we do not know who is from what tribe. God knows. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are not as significant as the others listed and the only one that is not mentioned directly is Dan who is blotted out. Revelation 7 From the tribe of Judah from the tribe of Reuben from the tribe of Gad from the tribe of Asher from the tribe of Naphtali from the tribe of Manasseh from the tribe of Simeon from the tribe of Levi from the tribe of Issachar from the tribe of Zebulun from the tribe of Joseph Joseph and Ephraim are seen as one from the tribe of Benjamin