Have you ever been at the bedside of a loved one who was soon to enter eternity? Joseph or someone in the family took down Jacob’s last words to each family member. He gave a special blessing to Joseph’s two sons, Ephriam and Manasseh. He then spoke prophetic words over the other sons. (Genesis 49:9-20)
The blessing of Joseph’s sons effectively made Joseph the first-born. Israel blessed Joseph and adopted the boys. In this way, Joseph would get the double portion. ( The first-born was to get a double portion of the inheritance.) The other brothers had tried to kill Joseph and cut him out, but God re-established his place and doubled the inheritance! Israel also chose Ephraim over Manasseh. The younger over the older. All blessing and God’s reward comes not from birth order but Divine order!
Judah also received a word in Genesis 49:8-12. Judah was told that his brothers would praise him. (His name means “praise”.) His hand would be on the neck of his enemies and his father’s sons would bow down to him. He was called a “lion’s cub”. Jesus was the offspring of Judah in the genealogy of Matthew 1:3. He is known as the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) He triumphed over all God’s enemies! (Colossians 3:15) He is King of Kings and rules over nations! (Revelation 15:3-4)
Israel made Joseph swear to take his bones back to the promised land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He believed in God returning to that land. He wanted to be buried there in order to receive his future inheritance. Israel got his wish and awaits the resurrection in the near future
“You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Genesis 49:9-10.
Have you ever been at the bedside of a loved one who was soon to enter eternity? If they are alert and able to talk, we listen for every word and thought. In our time, drugs for pain control often limit the dying person’s ability to communicate. In today’s reading, Jacob gave a special blessing to Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He then spoke a word over the other sons. (Genesis 49:9-20)
The blessing of Joseph’s sons effectively made Joseph the first-born. Israel blessed Joseph and adopted the boys. In this way, Joseph would get the double portion. ( The first-born was to get a double portion of the inheritance.) The other brothers had tried to kill Joseph and cut him out, but God re-established his place and doubled the inheritance! Israel also chose Ephraim over Manasseh. The younger over the older. All blessing and God’s reward comes not from birth order but Divine order! God alone knows the hearts and the end from the beginning!
One other blessing is worth noting. Judah also received a word in Genesis 49:8-12. Judah was told that his brothers would praise him. (His name means “praise”.) His hand would be on the neck of his enemies and his father’s sons would bow down to him. He was called a “lion’s cub”. Jesus was the offspring of Judah in the genealogy of Matthew 1:3. He is known as the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) He triumphed over all God’s enemies! (Colossians 3:15) He is King of Kings and rules over nations! (Revelation 15:3-4) Through some of the “last words” of Israel, written almost 4000 years ago, we have a prophecy of Jesus Christ!
What would you say if you just had a very short time left here on earth? What words would you leave with those closest to you? Would your faith be evident in you life and statements?
“You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Genesis 49:9-10.
“When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.”Genesis 49:33
Leaders work for God during a time and a season. (Psalm 75:6-7) Jacob had lived a full life and he knew his time to depart was near! (Genesis 48:21) Jacob did not fear death, but had some things he wanted to leave with his children and grandchildren before he left this life. Great leaders always leave a legacy for their families! They know how to bless their children and pass on the blessing that they received by faith from the Lord. We can learn from them how to live successfully and also how to leave successfully!
“Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”” (Genesis 48:21-22)
Israel left Joseph a word of prophesy and a piece of land. God would be with him! God would take him back to the land of his fathers. Although Egypt had been a place of refuge from the famine, it would not be his home. He had property that was given to him in the land of Canaan! What Joseph did not necessarily see was the nearly four hundred years that his family would dwell in Egypt. This word was given to him as a leader over his brothers, to inspire faith-filled and God directed leadership. God’s Word brings vision and is a light for our path! (Psalm 119:105)
Jacob called for his sons to gather around him so that he could tell them what would happen in the days to come. (Genesis 49:1) Jacob’s words to each of his sons brought either rebuke, correction, encouragement or a vision of what was to come. One son, Judah, was told that he was a “Lion’s cub”. He would have from his offspring One who ruled and all nations would obey Him! He would wash his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. (Genesis 49:10-12) From the perspective we have, this “ruler” is none other that Jesus Christ! He is known in heaven as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”! (Revelation 5:5) His robe is dipped in blood and His Name is the Word of God! (Revelation 19:13) Surely these are visions of things to come!
Have you ever been at the bedside of a loved one who was soon to enter eternity? If they are alert and able to talk, we listen for every word and thought. In this present time, drugs for pain control limit our contact or the dying person’s ability to communicate. Joseph or someone in the family took down Jacob’s last words to each family member. He gave a special blessing to Joseph’s two sons, Ephriam and Manasseh. He then spoke a word, also recorded, over the other sons. (Genesis 49:9-20)
The blessing of Joseph’s sons effectively made Joseph the first-born. Israel blessed Joseph and adopted the boys. In this way, Joseph would get the double portion. ( The first-born was to get a double portion of the inheritance.) The other brothers had tried to kill Joseph and cut him out, but God re-established his place and doubled the inheritance! Israel also chose Ephriam over Manasseh. The younger over the older. All blessing and God’s reward comes not from birth order but Divine order! God alone knows the hearts and the end from the beginning!
One other blessing is worth noting. Judah also received a word in Genesis 49:8-12. Judah was told that his brothers would praise him. (His name means “praise”.) His hand would be on the neck of his enemies and his father’s sons would bow down to him. He was called a “lion’s cub”. Jesus was the offspring of Judah in the genealogy of Matthew 1:3. He is known as the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) He triumphed over all God’s enemies! (Colossians 3:15) He is King of Kings and rules over nations! (Revelation 15:3-4) Through some of the “last words” of Israel, written almost 4000 years ago, we have a prophecy of Jesus Christ!
Israel finally made Joseph swear to take his bones back to the promised land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He so believed in God returning and that land being his property that he wanted to be buried there. Israel got his wish and awaits the resurrection in the near future! What famous last words! What a way to go! The only thing better will be the rapture!
What would you say if you just had a very short time left here on earth? What words would you leave with those closest to you? Would your faith be evident in you life and statements?
“You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Genesis 49:9-10.
“When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.” Genesis 49:33