Genesis. Prophetic Blessings Chapter 49:1-33

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1 Genesis Prophetic Blessings Chapter 49:1-33 People always want to know what s coming next. They have wanted to do so throughout history. And this is certainly understandable. Accordingly there has always been a need for seers. In the 16 th Century it was Michel de Nostredame. People are still looking to him to understand the future. In modern times one of the best know names is Edgar Cayce ( ), the so called Sleeping Prophet. Of course he was only as successful as his followers could/can convince the gullible of the accuracy of his predictions and his so called religious views. Of course these individuals have always been showman and that certainly hasn t changed recently as we consider people like Sylvia Browne. Of course Browne was convicted of investment fraud and grand theft. Her claims and predictions have caused numerous controversies and reports of her failed predictions have appeared in several newspapers. 1 And Christians aren t immune to this interest. On one hand we can and should legitimately study Biblical prophecy. After all God is its source. But too often believers can go astray by being more concerned with wanting to Know even when God doesn t intend us to. And when that happens off we go into date setting, identifying the scorpions of Revelation with military helicopters. But as we ll see today, when the Spirit speaks through someone that person may not even understand what they re saying. But God s prophecies are recorded in Scripture and when He intends we will understand, just as the disciples did after the resurrection. All of which brings us to Jacob prophesying under the leading of the Spirit. VI. The Patriarchs Chapter 11:11-Chapter 50 E. Joseph Chapters Jacob s Previews Chapter 49 a. An Introduction Verses 1-2 b. Everyone Get s a Turn Verses 3-27 c. Moses Epilogue Verses All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13). 1

2 Introduction: This morning we are going to look at God s prophetic work. The most important message we can receive from what we read here is a reminder that God is always in control. He works behind the scenes accomplishing His program. Sometimes He does this through us and sometimes, sadly, in spite of us. I pray that knowing this, we will be encouraged in the midst of the struggles of our own lives. Now, there is really no need for the break between Chapters 48 and 49 other than convenience to avoid too lengthy a chapter. Here Jacob continues on with the Spirit directed blessings that he had begun with Ephraim and Manasseh. We can see his blessings, by the very nature of his words, are prophetic. a. An Introduction: In this section Jacob is speaking again in his position as the head of what would eventually be corporate Israel. This is why Moses referrers to him as Israel. So, he gathered his sons around him. Jacob started by noting that what he was speaking of was the last days or days to come. This may well have two aspects: First, the taking of Canaan and the rise of national Israel, and second, the Messianic era. While we too look forward to the Messianic age, we, the Church, do so from a different perspective. Anyway, Jacob was speaking to what would be the nation Israel. And for whatever reason, what is presented here is presented in a poetic form. This may be to set it off from the surrounding text. b. Everyone Get s a Turn: Reuben is the first born. But he lost his right for the double portion because he slept with Bilhah, his father s concubine/wife. As is always true scripture doesn t hide humanity s warts but shows people as they are; fallen image bearers of God. Ruben is described as being unruly as the sea, boiling with lust. So, while he should have excelled, he was put aside. The double portion that should have been his was transferred to Joseph through his sons. The leadership role though goes to Judah as we will see in a moment. This inability to lead is later demonstrated by His tribe which was typified by irresolution. The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; Issachar was with Barak. They set out at his heels in the valley. There was great searching of heart among the clans of Reuben. Why did you sit among the sheepfolds listening to the playing of pipes for the flocks? There was great searching of heart among the clans of Reuben (Judges 5:15 16 HCSB). Also, even though Jacob put Rachel ahead of Leah, it is under God s direction that Joseph has the better portion over Reuben. 2. Reubenites settled east of Jordan with Gad and half of Manasseh. Jacob speaks to Simeon and Levi jointly. This is because jointly they carried out the destruction of Shechem. They are promised to be scattered throughout the tribes. But in the case of ) 462 (

3 Levy, this was hand-in-hand with the responsibility of being God s priestly tribe. In other words, God took what should have been a negative and because of the godliness of the tribe, fulfilled this prophecy, but with a result not anticipated by Jacob or present in this passage. What is an obvious principle found here? This is an excellent example of God s grace. It is a reflection that no matter what the sin when there is repentance and zeal for the Lord, there is availability to be used by Him. No matter what your past, if you are willing, obedient, and available God can and will use you. So he (Moses) stood at the entrance to the camp and said, Whoever is for the LORD, come to me. And all the Levities rallied to him. Then he said to them, This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Each man strap a sword to his side. God back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor. The Levities did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. Then Moses said, You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day (Exodus 32:26-29). Simeon was also scattered in the sense that the tribe did not have their own regular holding, but had to share land with Judah. Now since the blessing passed from Reuben, it should have gone to Simeon or Levy. But because of their sin, it passes on and goes, as already stated, to Joseph and Judah. Next Jacob blesses Judah. This is primarily a Messianic blessing, but also looks forward to King David and his immediate line. Judah is promised that the tribe will be the ruling one. This was initially fulfilled through David, but ultimately was and will be fulfilled in Christ. Clearly, the final fulfillment of this prophecy has not yet occurred and won t until the Millennial age when Christ rules politically this world from David s throne in Jerusalem. Judah will have victory over his enemies and certainly David brought temporary peace to Israel. But it is only at the second advent that Israel will experience complete and final peace. Judah s authority would not depart until the time of Christ, where it now permanently resides. By the way, Israel is called by the name of Judah even today for we are known as Jews. The land of Canaan became known as Judea. 2. The tribe itself was known for it s bravery in battle, hence the allusion to the lion. The last two verses of this section are generally understood in two different ways: ) 463 (

4 The material prosperity of the tribe of Judah in the land or 2. referring again to Christ and the shedding of His Blood for the sins of the people. Kidner sees these verses this way: Every line of these verses speaks of exuberant, intoxicating abundance: it is the golden age of the Coming one, whose universal rule was glimpsed in 10c. It is deliberately the language of excess: the reveler of 12a (whose redness of eyes in real life is more coolly received in Pr. 23:29) is startling enough, but verse 11 has already thrown care and thrift to the winds, with its talk of vines used as hitching-posts and wine as washing-water. In its own material terms it bids adieu to the pinched régime of thorns and sweat for the shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast. Jesus announced the age to come in just this imagery in His first sign at Cana of Galilee. 2 Also remember that this whole prophecy is given in the poetic form which lends itself to hyperbole by intent. The dwelling of Zebulun was to be near the seashore and his borders would extend to Sidon. Zebulun lived along the northern part of the coast. Issachar also lived in the northern part of the land. These people were the workers of the nation. They were willing to give up freedom for security. The people were husbandmen. Life might be considered a drudgery or servant like existence for the security it provided. Dan is to be a judge and deliverer. This is normally identified as relating to Samson who was of the tribe of Dan. The tribe is pictured as a great warrior who wins through subtility and stratagem, though I m not sure I see Samson as subtle. I couldn t find anyone who knows quite what to do with this verse. Some see it as the cry of Samson in the temple of the Philistines. More commonly it is taken as simply a cry of interruption of Jacob in the midst of the prophecies. Either view still provides no clear understanding as to its meaning or an underlying statement of God s presence and salvation grounded in the nation Israel. Morris on the other hand has an interesting perspective on this verse in light of Dan being identified with a serpent: the reference to the serpent may also refer symbolically to the fact that it was the Danites who introduced idolatry into the land of Israel on a regular official basis (Judges 18:30, 31). It was also in Dan that Jeroboam, who led the rebellion that culminated in the divided kingdom, set up one of his two golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30). It may be that this is why Dan is not listed among the tribes in Revelation 7:4-8 (note Deuteronomy 29:16-21). This latter interpretation is strengthened by the fact that Jacob, immediately after his reference to the serpent, must have thought of the one whom the serpent throughout Scripture typifies that old Serpent, the Devil. Thinking of the Serpent and his enmity against God s people, Jacob would naturally also think of God s primeval promise of the coming Seed whose heel would be bitten by the Serpent, but who would in turn finally crust his head and bring the long-awaited salvation (Genesis 3:15). It was in reference to this Messianic promise that he had just spoken to Judah. It is natural, therefore, 2 Kidner, Derek, Genesis, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1967, p ) 464 (

5 that right at this point, he would cry out: i have waited for thy salvation, O Lord! It would not be too imaginative to suggest that Jacob s mind, this Salvation for which he was waiting was actually a person. The word itself in the Hebrew yeshuah, which is not other than the name Jesus! This becomes even the more significant when it is realized that here we have the first mention of the world salvation in the Bible. 3 Gad is seen as a tribe ready to fight for a cause. Gad is another northern tribe. Asher was the gourmet of the nation. Willmington states of Naphtali: He would become known for his mobility and swiftness (as a released deer) and for his eloquence with words. 4 Naphtali was not a war like people. 2. Barak, the aid to Deborah, one of the judges, was of this tribe. Jacob again takes up Joseph even though he had already blessed him through Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph receives the greatest blessing only second to Judah. This is another obscure passage, but Jacob seems to be presenting the qualities that made Joseph the type of person who could forgive and rule. His fruitfulness leads to two tribes. Jacob then tells what seems to be looking back to the actions of Joseph brothers and his standing firm in the midst of great trials. Jacob emphasis though that Joseph s great strength comes from the Lord, the Strong One. What is really fascinating here is the prophetic imagery. Jacob goes on to describe the one providing the strength as Shepherd and as a Rock of Israel. This obviously foreshadows Christ as the Good Shepherd and The Corner Stone. Of all Jacob s words to all his sons, here more than anywhere else we see his love of one specific son, Joseph. Jacob continues to call down the blessings of God, identifying God as Joseph s father. His words would seem to put God into the context of Creator, the one who can bless more greatly than imaginable. What is sad here is that none of these are spiritual blessings. This is because Jacob s words are predictive and Ephraim and Manasseh never excelled spiritually, in fact, Jeroboam of Ephraim instituted calf worship. Jacob goes on to say that he was blessed even more than his fathers had been. Abraham had one promise, Isaac, two and Jacob twelve. Now, in Egypt, he has seventy descendants. His blessings fill the land. And yet Joseph himself stands apart from his brothers. Jacob finally comes to Benjamin. He is described as a warrior dividing the spoils. He would always find success. Saul and Jonathan were of the tribe of Benjamin. But the one who after 3 Morris, Henry M., The Genesis Record, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1987, p Willmington, Dr. H.L., Willmington s Guide to the Bible, Tyndale House, Wheaton, IL, 1981, p. 57. ) 465 (

6 Christ was the most important individual for the Church was Saul who became Paul, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. c. Moses Epilogue: And so ends Jacob s prophecies. Moses, by his words tells us that what Jacob said was under the leading of the Holy Spirit, who directed that nothing less or more than needed to be said was. Jacob having passed on his blessings makes the final arrangements for his funeral. He wanted to be buried in the cave at Machpelah, where Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Rebekah were buried. Remember that Jacob had also buried Leah there. This is the cave purchased from the Hittites. Dr. McGee isn t all that impressed that Jacob mentions Leah at this point: It is not so much that he was interested in being buried by Leah (after all, Rachel was buried up in Beth-lehem), but he wants to be buried where he will be raised from the dead at the resurrection so he will be right there when God fulfills His promises to the nation Israel. 5 The arrangements are completed. Jacob can die in peace and so he lies back on his bed and does so. Talk about knowing your going to die. He times it to his very last breath. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13). May it be said of us when we die that we were still living by faith at the time of our death. We had not received all that we had been promised, but because our faith was grounded in the person of our God, we knew one day we would receive them. Meanwhile let us live in the reality that we are citizens of God s kingdom, being aliens and pilgrims here on earth and within the nation of our physical birth. (Hebrews 11:13 adapted GK). Again, I pray that as we see God working through Jacob to tell of His program, we will be comforted to remember that God also desires to work through us; that He is in control and nothing can interfere with the final fulfillment of His program; and we can therefore trust Him for our life as we have trusted Him for our salvation. Trust in the LORD and do good, abide in the land and remain loyal. Seek the favor of the LORD, and He will grant you the desires of your heart. Leave all to the LORD; trust in Him; He will do it. He will cause your vindication to shine forth like the light, the justice of your case, like the noonday sun. Be patient and wait for the LORD, do not be vexed by the prospering man who carries out his schemes. (Psalms 37:3 7 JPS). 5 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Volume 1, Genesis - Deuteronomy, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1981, p ) 466 (

7 Genesis Prophetic Blessings Chapter 49:1-33 VI. The Patriarchs Chapter 11:11-Chapter 50 E. Joseph Chapters Jacob s Previews Chapter 49 a. An Introduction Verses 1-2 b. Everyone Get s a Turn Verses 3-27 c. Moses Epilogue Verses Introduction: (Hebrews 11:13) a. An Introduction: b. Everyone Get s a Turn: Reuben (Judges 5:15 16 HCSB) 2. Simeon and Levi (Exodus 32:26-29)

8 Judah Zebulun Issachar Dan Gad Asher 2. ) 2 (

9 Joseph Benjamin c. Moses Epilogue: (Hebrews 11:13, 11:13 adapted GK; Psalms 37:3 7 JPS) Personal Application: The most important truth we can gain in studying prophecy is, what is most important isn t knowing how the future is going to come to pass, but in knowing Who holds it in His hand. Meditate this week on the one in whom we are secure. Prayer for the Week: Father God, we praise You knowing our future is secure in You. In Christ s name, amen. ) 3 (