Jacob Prepares to Die
May 30, 2024
Commentary
In this passage the writer sums up Jacobs words to his sons. They express the theme and blessing that is being passed along through the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The focus of Jacob’s words has been the promise that when the one comes to whom the kingship truly belongs (Gen. 49:10), peace and prosperity will come that God intended all to have in the garden of Eden.
We have been learning about the twelve tribes of Israel, and how Jacob gave each of them their proper blessing (v. 28). Now the review of his family is over and Jacob prepares for his death (vv. 28-33). He says he will die, and he wants to be buried in the Machpelah Cave which was located near the town of Mamre in Canaan (vv. 29-30). Abraham and Sarah were buried there, and so are Isaac and Rebekah as well as Leah (v. 31). Abraham had purchased this from Ephron the Hittite (v. 32). When Jacob finished giving instructions to his sons, he laid down and died (v. 33).
The following is an outline of this passage:
1. His last words – “All of these are the twelve tribes of Israel” (v. 28).
2. His last will – “I am to be gathered unto my people (vv. 29-32).
3. His last witness -"He breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” (v. 33).
The last recorded words of Jacob concerned his own burial and about his bones lying in Canaan.
Application
Throughout Scripture we are exhorted to honor our parents. What have I done and what am I continuing to do to fulfill this command? My mother died quickly and we took Dad into our home. We built a home next door for Thelma’s parents and carried out her mother’s wishes in Florida.
Genesis 49:28– 33 (NET)
28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each of them an appropriate blessing.
29 Then he instructed them, “I am about to go to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30 It is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought for a burial plot from Ephron the Hittite. 31 There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah; there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah; and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave in it were acquired from the sons of Heth.”
33 When Jacob finished giving these instructions to his sons, he pulled his feet up onto the bed, breathed his last breath, and went to his people.
Illustration: Death is Like a Shadow
Have you ever been enjoying a nice sunny day when all of a sudden a dark cloud hides the sun? All of a sudden you’re in this shadow! What does the shadow do? It hides the light. It makes it more difficult to see the world and people around you. Darkness makes you feel all alone because you can’t see anyone else. Death is like a shadow. It makes us feel alone. It takes away some of the light in our lives. The good news is that the shadow is temporary. There will again come a time of rejoicing. As Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to reflect. So even though you are experiencing the shadow of death now, there will come a time again of rejoicing. (Jeffery Rowe – Sermon Central)