Jacob Blesses His Sons
June 9, 2024
Commentary
In this chapter we find Jacob calling his sons to his bedside and telling them what will happen to them in the days ahead (vv. 1-2). The key expression, “In the last days” (v. 1) signifies the last days in prophetic literature (Ezek. 38:16) or points more generally to “the latter days” referenced in Deuteronomy 4:30. Jacob heaps praise upon his firstborn but then announces how Reuben is unstable and has defiled his father’s bed (vv. 3-4). This was no doubt a reference to Reuben’s adultery with Jacob’s concubine Bilhah (Gen. 35:22) which had taken place forty years before this. The tribe of Reuben never did rise to prominence in Israel and was the first tribe to be carried into captivity (I Chron. 5:26).
Simeon and Levi (vv. 5-7) are dealt with together in light of the fact they were men of uncontrolled anger with disregard for men and animals. God judges them because of their slaughter of the Shechemites (Gen. 34:25-29). They were later divided and scattered. Simeon was swallowed up by Judah (vv. 8-12). The Levites received no actual territory but instead received forty-eight cities scattered among the tribes.
Judah was the one who had been responsible for the sale of Joseph into slavery and had committed fornication against his daughter-in-law, Tamar. However, Jacob said nothing because Judah had repented of these things and they were forgotten. Looking at Judah, Jacob saw him as a leader (v. 8) and of the royal tribe through which Christ would be born as both the king and the judge of the whole earth (v. 10). Zebulum was the youngest of Leah’s sons (v. 13). Genesis tells us nothing about him except that his tribe would occupy the sea coasts. Issachar was also one of Leah’s sons and would be forced to work for others (vv. 14-15). The circumstances of his birth may have colored his character, for he does not seem to have been an active and aggressive person but one quite content to take a humble place in his family. Yet Jacob spoke of his strength (v. 14) which pictures usefulness.
Application
What do I want to be remembered for? It is interesting to note that when Jacob brings all of his children in before he dies and goes over the past he put value on their character traits.
Genesis 49:1– 15 (NET)
1 Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather together so I can tell you what will happen to you in future days.
2 “Assemble and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.
4 You are destructive like water and will not excel, for you got on your father’s bed, then you defiled it—he got on my couch!
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives!
6 O my soul, do not come into their council, do not be united to their assembly, my heart, for in their anger they have killed men, and for pleasure they have hamstrung oxen.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their fury, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel!
8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies, your father’s sons will bow down before you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah, from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches and lies down like a lion; like a lioness—who will rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs; the nations will obey him.
11 Binding his foal to the vine, and his colt to the choicest vine, he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes will be red from wine, and his teeth white from milk.
13 Zebulun will live by the haven of the sea and become a haven for ships; his border will extend to Sidon.
14 Issachar is a strong-boned donkey lying down between two saddlebags.
15 When he sees a good resting place, and the pleasant land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and become a slave laborer.
Illustration: William Booth Bitterly Attacked by The Press
During the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by religious leaders and government leaders alike. Whenever his son, Bramwell, showed Booth a newspaper attack, the General would reply, “Bramwell, fifty years hence it will matter very little indeed how these people treated us; it will matter a great deal how we dealt with the work of God.” (The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 18).