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Genesis study & commentary

Genesis 49

By Doug Ford
Jacob's Last Words to His Sons
Jacob's Death and Burial

Genesis 49:1-2

Jacob called all his sons together.  This was probably a rare occasion as they all were grown, had many children and their children had children.  They had their own home and lives.  They came and stood at their father's side to hear his prophetic words.  It would be a picture of the life to come for each tribe, based on the characteristics of the son.  These are his final words to his family.  That makes them most important.

 

Hebrews 11:21 shows us that Jacob's posture was characterized as leaning on his staff.  This was the posture of the Hebrew sojourner, one who spent his life on a sojourn, never reaching his destination.  Ever since that night of wrestling, he'd limped and needed a staff.  Every twinge of discomfort reminded him to submit to the Lord's will and not his own.  Leaning on the staff was leaning on God; resting on the Lord's understanding of things and not his own.

 

The call to 'Assemble and listen' opens the final word.

 

The names come grouped by their mother and not in order of birthright.

 

Genesis 49:3

Reuben:

Reuben was the firstborn and son given by Leah.  It all started with Reuben, the beginning of a family.  He was the first of the many to come, the beginning of the sons of Israel, the beginning of his strength, excellence and power.  To have been the oldest in this family would have been a position of authority, dignity and power.  But Reuben forfeited his position by his sin (Genesis 35:22).  He defiled the excellence of dignity and power by lying with his father's concubine.

 

What could have been a most profound and proud moment to stand as the eldest in strength and power of this group of tribes had become an embarrassing time of shame due to sin.  If this was Reubens nature, it would not bother him; if it was not his nature, it might serve to correct.  It was clear from the start that Jacob wasn't watering anything down.

 

Simeon and Levi: 

They are grouped together, since they have the same nature and acted together in violence.  Simeon would have been next in line to inherit the blessing at the sin of Reuben, but their position was forfeited when they chose to slaughter the Shechemites (Gen 34).  Jacob disassociated himself with Simeon and Levi; not giving them a place in council or assembly. 

 

Their anger for their sister's rape was honorable but escalated out of control.  They used it to justify cruelty and outright murder.  They hamstrung oxen so as to keep the surviving women from having use of the animals.  They would be scattered and dispersed; a punishment Israel would hear throughout its future when it sinned.  Levi was scattered across land with no inheritance.  Simon was the smallest tribe in Moses' census and was absorbed within Judah's allotment of land, losing any prominence.

 

Judah:

Judah assumes a place of preeminence after the first three had forfeited their place.  He becomes an example of grace.  It was Judah's idea to sell Joseph into slavery.  It was Judah who dealt poorly with Tamar.  We saw him change though when he offered himself as a substitute, trading his life for that of Benjamin to Joseph.

 

The tribe of Judah is the tribe of leadership.  The other tribes look to Judah and would praise him.  In verse 8, the word for praise sounds very much like the word Judah in Hebrew forming a wordplay.   In the census of Moses, the tribe of Judah was the largest.  The lion is strength and cunning, majestic and powerful.  From this phrase comes the idea of the 'Lion of Judah'.  The prophet Micah (5:2) would later say the messiah will come from Judah thereby joining this idea of the messiah being the ultimate Lion of the tribe of Judah. 

 

It was God's intention that the monarchy always came from Judah.  However, Saul, the first king came from Benjamin because he was the people's king, not the Lords.  When David succeeded him, the throne was maintained by Judah until exile.  The scepter was not to depart until Shiloh came (NIV: he to whom it belongs shall come).  This is troublesome passage and somewhat debated.  Shilo seems to be another word for messiah.  He did come and will come again.  He will take the throne and the nations will bring tribute to Him.  Under Shilo, the ultimate King from the tribe of Judah, the land would prosper:

  1. To tether a donkey or colt to the choicest branch of vine was to sacrifice it.  The animal would destroy the vine.  It's an indication of how prosperous they would be that they would not even think of it when they tied their animal to the finest of vines. 
  2. To wash their garments in wine and robes in grape juice is to say how wealthy people would be so as to use their wine in such a way, as if such a washing were possible.

The king would be striking in beauty, known by his eyes and the whiteness of His teeth. 

 

Genesis 49:13

Zebulun:

They settled in the land between the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee.  This tribe was known for its warriors and skill with weapons in battle.  They brought more men to war for King David than any other tribe.

 

Issachar:

Issachar was a large tribe and could have been a strong force.  A 'rawboned donkey' is a symbol of raw strength or brute force; maybe thought of bending but never breaking.  However, the implication of the remaining words is they were lazy.  They settled into their land and didn't work hard to keep it.  Because of this they were pressed into service as slaves.

 

Dan:

The phrase 'will provide justice' is the word 'dayan' a wordplay on the name Dan.  Samson was the judge that came from the tribe of Dan.  Jacob also said he would be a snake by the road.  The word for snake is 'nachash', the same word for serpent in the garden, the accuser.  The region of Dan was the center for idol worship in Israel. 

 

Some folks believe the reference to the serpent may be a prophecy that the anti-christ will come from the tribe of Dan.  This tribe doesn't show up in the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel in Revelation.  But Dan is in the millennial tribes.

 

Genesis 49:18

This verse is an interesting interruption to the prophecy.  This is Jacob calling out to Yahweh.  He may have been nearing death and proclaiming his trust.  However, it is possible he sees the trouble of the future and looks for the Lord's deliverance to come beyond all that was coming; and in spite of all that would happen. 

 

Genesis 49:19

Gad:

The name Gad sounds like the word raided.  It presents the idea that the marauding bands will be attacked by marauding bands but he will attack them back. 

 

The tribe of Gad supplied many troops for the wars.  But these troops were trampled down by foreign troops in Jeremiah's day. 

 

Asher:

The tribe of Asher were the chefs of their day.  Not just cooking but presenting delicacies fit for a king.  Moses would give the same prophecy about them.

 

Naphtali:

Naphtali was the land near the Sea of Galilee.  This is where Jesus taught many times and delivered many beautiful words.  Every word in this passage presents a problem and alternative meanings creating lots of different interpretations and ideas. 

 

 

Genesis 49:22-26

 

Joseph:

Joseph was a fruitful vine in that this branch of his family did bear much fruit.  The effects of his life extended beyond their own land and territory in that Joseph became great in a foreign land.  Joseph had his enemies and there were those who tried to take his life, but his life and strength was preserved the 'Mighty God of Jacob'.  He was attacked with bitterness but his bow was steady, his arms limber.  This was made possible by the Lord:

  1. The Mighty One of Jacob
  2. The Shepherd
  3. The Rock of Israel
  4. Your father's God who helps you
  5. The Almighty who blesses you

The blessings from the Lord flow from the skies the deep and from the breast and womb.  Jacob declared these blessings greater than any other.  He laid the blessings on the head of Joseph. What a great honor, what a humbling moment for Joseph.  What a life this man lived.

 

Benjamin

We've seen little of Benjamin.  He was simply a young man protected by his father.  Suddenly he is a ravenous wolf.  Benjamin came to a reputation of fierceness and cruelty coming from the some of the judges (see Judges 19 & 20).  They were experts with the sword and sling, deadly with intention.  From Benjamin would come the people's' king, Saul.  In 1st Chronicles we see expert archers from this tribe.  Two of David's mighty men were from here. 

 

Saul of Tarsus was a Benjaminite.

 

Genesis 49:29-33
Jacob knew it was the end of his time on earth.  In that time, where a person was laid to rest was important to them.  As he was 'gathered to his people' he wanted to be buried with 'my fathers'.  In death, he wanted to be with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah (Gen 47:28–31; cf. Gen 49:29–32; 50:4–13).   It was an act of faith to request burial at that cave; it was stating the assurance that his offspring would one day go back to that land and possess it.

 

This is the end of the story for the patriarchs.  The Lord had worked through three men, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and brought us now the 12 tribes.  It's as if they were in an incubator called Goshen, to soon arise as a nation.  They arrived there as a family of 70, in about 400 years they will come out as a nation of millions.  

 

He had been faithful to carry that promise across the time of his generation.

 

Can we say the same?  Do we serve as a link of the promises of God from generation to generation?

 

©2019 Doug Ford