Connecting Scriptures: Deuteronomy 21:17, Genesis 35:22, 1 Chronicles 5:1, Genesis 34:25-26, Psalm 26:9, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11

Today’s study will wrap up our look into Genesis.  It is always amazing to me just how much is contained in this one book.  All of creation is seen here, both of the world itself and of God’s special family—the way he would bring blessing into the world.  It seems appropriate that we look at how Jacob/Israel blessed his sons as he passes.  There are blessings, and the reality of consequences that look more like curses.

This was Jacob’s last task.  To look each son in the eye, share his heart and God’s heart in the form of prophecy for each of their descendants.  Each of these men would die in Egypt, not seeing the promised land again in their lifetime.  So, each blessing included what would be a foreshadowing for how their descendants would operate hundreds of years into the future.  The first sons born to him are Reuben, Simeon and Levi, and they are the ones who’s blessings look more like burdens.  Because of their lack of self-control in life, they were cursed in a way that they lost out on positions that should have been theirs (first-born double portions and birthrights, which are distributed to Jospeh and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh) and the welcome of familial bonds.  

As with the other in depth accounts of Jacob’s sons in Genesis, there are the same two stand-outs: Judah and Jacob.  One, a son who led courageously and offered to lay his own life on the line in order to bring the whole family to a saving place in Egypt.  The other, a fathers favorite and one who looks like a forerunner for Christ.  He goes ahead and makes a way in a harsh world, in spite of all the harm done to him by his own family. All this in order that many would be spared. 

 Judah seems to receive a “leadership” blessing that his three older brothers had squandered, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet.” (vs. 10).  The preeminence spoken of to Reuben, is handed to him.  Of course, we have mentioned here about who comes from Judah’s lineage.  Jesus is the fulfillment of the verse quote above.

Joseph’s blessing not only points out his story of hardship, but also the source of his deliverance.  “…the Mighty One of Jacob…the Shepherd…the Stone of Israel…the Almighty…”.  No doubt, Jacob knew who the hero was here, it was the angel whom he wrestled and the God who had been the Shepherd all his life.  He called down these birthright portions on Joseph to wear like a crown.  He had been set apart, not just by a father who played favorites, but by God for a purpose grander than a parents pleasure.  I think verse 20 in chapter 50 is the culminating proof of not just this truth, but of the whole of Genesis.  After Jacob passes, all of the family, including Egypt, mourn and bury him in the family plot in Canaan.  Joseph’s brothers come to him (in a kind of scheming way, did Jacob order them to be forgiven?) with the burden of the past still weighing heavy on them.  “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, you meant evil against me, by God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”  He was speaking to those who had been kept alive!  God had given Joseph foresight into his own life, not just the dreams of others.  Evil had been done to him, there is no getting around it, but God had every intention of using this to save many, even the “doers of evil” themselves.  

What of the evil done since Genesis 3?  What good can we see as we turn the page on chapter 50?  What is most obvious to me is in spite of all the harm and heaviness done against God and man—God never leaves.  He didn’t check out after Adam and Eve sinned, he didn’t wipe out every person in the flood, he called out one man to follow and made promises to him, he passed down that promise to his children and children’s children.  He sustained one man to deliver that family to a place of refuge and provision.  He also assured that same family, in the dying words of Joseph, that he would bring them back home.  God remains and therefore goodness does as well.  To those who seek Him and hold fast to His promises, goodness is there in abundance.  Even when evil does its worst, we can trust that God is still working and is calling us to wait on Him with the results.  Just as Noah beheld the rainbow, and Abraham held Isaac while laughter filled the air.  As Jacob limped to the sunrise and Joseph saw the faces of his brothers as they realized who he was—God is calling us to remain faithful as we build on the foundations of these men.  It is all held together by “the Stone of Israel”—Jesus. 

Questions for Reflection:

1.  Dig deep into a good reference bible as you go over Jacob’s blessing to each son. What insights have you gleaned about each blessing and what stands out to you?

2.  If you had to put the whole narrative of Genesis into a sentence, what would it be?

3.  How have you seen God work evil for your own good or the good of others?  How does 50:20 compare to Romans 8:28?