Summary of Genesis 49:1-28:
Jacob calls his sons together to bless them and tell them their future before he dies. He tells Reuben he will no longer excel because of his defilement of his father’s bed. Simeon and Levi will be scattered in Israel. They will no longer be leaders as punishment for the slaughter at Shechem.
Judah’s brothers will praise him and bow down to him. The scepter will not leave Judah’s hand until it comes to whom it belongs and obedience is his (reference to Jesus). His (Jesus) robes will be washed in blood, his eyes darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships. Issachar will submit to forced labor. Dan will provide justice for his people. Gad will be attacked, but he will attack back. Asher will have rich food. Naphtali is free.
Joseph is a fruitful vine that overflows. Enemies attack, but Joseph remains steady because of God who blesses him. His blessings rest on him, the “prince among his brothers.”
Benjamin devours and plunders.
These were the 12 Tribes of Israel.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 2: Genesis 49:1-28
3) Benjamin’s is to me. He is like a ravenous wolf who devours his prey and divides his plunder. Since Benjamin is the youngest, I picture him as the most innocent, not as this is painted.
4a) Their descendents are punished because of them. Reuben he will no longer excel because of his defilement of his father’s bed. Simeon and Levi will be scattered in Israel. They will no longer be leaders as punishment for the slaughter at Shechem.
b) God holds people responsible for their actions, and sin can be passed down and perpetrated into next generations, which is why being a parent is so hard as we try not to pass our sins onto ur children.
5) Judah’s brothers will praise him and bow down to him. The scepter will not leave Judah’s hand until it comes to whom it belongs and obedience is his (reference to Jesus). His (Jesus) robes will be washed in blood, his eyes darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
6) God can do whatever He wants. He is God. It is not on us to question Him, His authority, or what He does.
7) It would take many pages to type this one out. Suffice it to say that every choice brings you to where you are at today, and it is all in God’s plan to honor and bless you in that way. Nothing should be regretted You are here because God has let you be here.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 2: Genesis 49:1-28
This lesson was much condensed from last time we did this study and was much improved. It’s interesting to me how sin is perpetuated and many people don’t have kids because of this fact. But there is nothing you can do about it. All you can do is your best.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 2: Genesis 49:1-28
You can safely say that many of these are not blessings but prophecies (unsure how telling your kid you won’t be a leader, you will be scattered, and you won’t excel is a blessing).
Fun Fact: This is the first prophecy spoken by a man (not God) in the Bible.
Note that Jacob refers to himself by both names (Jacob and Israel). He is recognizing both sides of himself (the good and the bad here).
Reuben’s sin: Genesis 35:22. No one of note came from Reuben’s line (Matthew 19:30). No king, prophet, or judge would come from Reuben. His tribe was the first to be conquered by the Assyrian and Babylonians, and he would settle east of the Jordan, which was not well fortified.
Simeon and Levi’s sin: (Genesis 34:25-29). Forgiven sins can still haunt us. Their sin is anger and retribution in anger. This is not a godly anger Ephesians 4:26), but an ungodly one. Ephesians 4:31)
Simeon’s tribe shrank when they wandered in the wilderness after the parting of the Red Sea. They went from the 3rd largest (Numbers 1:23), to the smallest (Numbers 26:14) in 40 years. They had to share their piece of the Promise Land with Judah (Joshua 19:1). They would be enveloped into Judah’s tribe.
Levi, however, gained blessing despite his sin and was chosen to be the line of the priesthood because of their faithfulness during the Golden Calf episode (Exodus 32:26-28). They gained God as their inheritance (Joshua 13:33). It pays to draw near to God when you’ve been reprimanded by Him. However, they were scattered as priests had to live all over Israel in order to preach to the people.
Judah made many mistakes and committed many sins (like all of us), (Genesis 37:26).,(Genesis 38:26),,(Genesis 38:18), but he had good in his heart. (Genesis 44:18-34). God’s grace is good.
Because Judah inherited the ruling position, the kings of Israel (including Jesus, the ultimate King) would come from him. Revelation 5:5, Lions in scripture symbolize power, victory, and dominion. His tribe would prosper.
Shiloh is another name for Jesus, meaning “he whose right it is.” David partially fulfilled this prophecy, but it was Jesus a full 1600 years later that sealed the deal.
Zebulon settled next to the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee — both places for ships. His tribe is noted in the Bible for being faithful to David (1 Chronicles 12:33). His name means “honored dwelling.”
Issachar was a large tribe, but they became slaves. Numbers 26
From the tribe of Dan came the judge, Samson (Judges 13:2). Dan menas “he judged.”
The Bible records the tribe of Dan as one of sin and idolatry. (Judges 18:30). (1 Kings 12:26-30), (Amos 8:14).
Some Bible scholars believe the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan (based on Daniel 11:37 and Jeremiah 8:16).
Dan is left out of the listing of tribes in Revelation 7:5-8 B nor in 1 Chronicles 2-9. but Dan is the first tribe listed in Ezekiel’s list (Ezekiel 48).
Jacob calls out for Jesus (the Hebrew word for salvation is “yeshuwah.”). Cool, isn’t it?
Gad helped David (1 Chronicles 12:14). They settled on the east side of the Jordan and had to fend off constant attacks.
Asher was known as a land of luxury Deuteronomy 33:24, near Phoenicia. Anna, a prophetess from Asher, saw Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
Naphtali’s land bordered the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent much of his time (Matthew 4:12-16)
Joseph had already received his blessing. Perhaps this was a repeat for the benefit of the other brothers Genesis 48. God gave Joseph the strength of will for the bow. Joseph’s tribes of Mannsseh and Ephraim were some of the biggest. Joseph overcame much.
Note the 5 Titles Jacob calls God:
- Mighty One of Jacob
- Shepherd
- Rock of Israel
- Your father’s God
- Almighty
Benjamin’s tribe will be one of great warriors: Ehud (Judges 3:15-23), Saul (1 Samuel 9:1, 14:47-52), and Paul (Acts 8:1-3). Judges 19 and 20.