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In Days to Come
Genesis 49:1-33
May 28, 2017
Lord’s Day Worship
Sean Higgins
Download the bulletin.
Download the Kids’ Korner.
The sermon starts at 17:55 in the audio file.
Or, Jacob’s Prophetic Blessings on His Twelve Tribes
Out of all the things that people in our day and age are interested in listening to, genealogies have to be near the bottom of the list. Right above genealogies might be a last will and testament, unless, of course, you think that you will be named as a beneficiary. Genesis 49 is Jacob’s final words, words of blessings to and prophecy about his sons. Some of it is obscure, some of it has already been fulfilled, some of it we are right in the middle of.
Jacob and family had moved to Egypt seventeen years previous to this scene. After his arrival, Joseph brought his father in before Pharaoh and Jacob blessed Pharaoh (Genesis 47:7-10). Because of how chapter 47 is framed with Joseph buying up all the livestock and land in Egypt for Pharaoh, with Jacob’s prayer of blessing on Pharaoh before and Jacob’s instructions about burial after, we’re to understand Pharaoh’s increase was due to Jacob’s blessing. Chapter 48 is also about Jacob’s blessing on Joseph by adopting Joseph’s two sons. By claiming Ephraim and Manasseh as his own, Jacob elevated them to equal status with his other sons, and then blessed Ephraim with the firstborn privileges. Both boys were blessed, so much so that their blessing would become a byword in future generations. “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you has Ephraim and Manasseh’” (Genesis 48:20).
In chapter 49 Jacob calls the rest of his sons to gather around him as he pronounces blessing on each one. He speaks not just about the twelve sons, but the descendants of the sons, “the twelve tribes of Israel” (verse 28). The blessings dominate the chapter, verses 1-28, then in the final section Jacob gives burial instructions to all his sons, verses 29-33.
Blessings Pronounced (verses 1-28)
No one interrupts, no one else speaks but Jacob. He describes the development of his descendants according to the different character displayed in each son.
Summons (verses 1-2)
Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.” This is more than just an announcement of Jacob’s will, more than informing his sons what inheritance would be theirs. This is a “blessing,” as verse 28 summarizes, and it is also a revelation of what will be true for the descendants of each son more than just the future for the son himself. Here are the destinies of “the twelve tribes of Israel” (verse 28); nomen est omen, the “name is an omen.” Each benediction begins with and is based on something about the son, but it extends to his people. The days to come covers “the whole period from the departure out of Egypt to the reign of Christ” (Calvin). It is no small prophetic blessing.
The order of Jacob’s prophecies is by birth order except in one place where Zebulun is addressed before Issachar.
Reuben (verses 3-4)
Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn of Leah, and Jacob saw him as my might, and the firstfruits of my strength. A son showed Jacob’s virility and, in the firstborn position, Reuben was preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. He had a place of privilege.
We know, as the readers, that Jacob already elevated Ephraim into the firstborn rights. Reuben doesn’t know it as yet, and the way Jacob begins makes it sound like he’s setting up something good. Instead, Jacob was setting up a contrast. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch! It was recorded in just one verse back in chapter 35. The family was moving back to Canaan when Rachel died. Reuben’s lust was unstable and he took the opportunity to make a play for family power. Jacob “heard of it” (Genesis 35:22), but Moses doesn’t record any response. Jacob hasn’t forgotten, and Reube[...]
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By Trinity Evangel ChurchGenesis 49:1-33
May 28, 2017
Lord’s Day Worship
Sean Higgins
Download the bulletin.
Download the Kids’ Korner.
The sermon starts at 17:55 in the audio file.
Or, Jacob’s Prophetic Blessings on His Twelve Tribes
Out of all the things that people in our day and age are interested in listening to, genealogies have to be near the bottom of the list. Right above genealogies might be a last will and testament, unless, of course, you think that you will be named as a beneficiary. Genesis 49 is Jacob’s final words, words of blessings to and prophecy about his sons. Some of it is obscure, some of it has already been fulfilled, some of it we are right in the middle of.
Jacob and family had moved to Egypt seventeen years previous to this scene. After his arrival, Joseph brought his father in before Pharaoh and Jacob blessed Pharaoh (Genesis 47:7-10). Because of how chapter 47 is framed with Joseph buying up all the livestock and land in Egypt for Pharaoh, with Jacob’s prayer of blessing on Pharaoh before and Jacob’s instructions about burial after, we’re to understand Pharaoh’s increase was due to Jacob’s blessing. Chapter 48 is also about Jacob’s blessing on Joseph by adopting Joseph’s two sons. By claiming Ephraim and Manasseh as his own, Jacob elevated them to equal status with his other sons, and then blessed Ephraim with the firstborn privileges. Both boys were blessed, so much so that their blessing would become a byword in future generations. “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you has Ephraim and Manasseh’” (Genesis 48:20).
In chapter 49 Jacob calls the rest of his sons to gather around him as he pronounces blessing on each one. He speaks not just about the twelve sons, but the descendants of the sons, “the twelve tribes of Israel” (verse 28). The blessings dominate the chapter, verses 1-28, then in the final section Jacob gives burial instructions to all his sons, verses 29-33.
Blessings Pronounced (verses 1-28)
No one interrupts, no one else speaks but Jacob. He describes the development of his descendants according to the different character displayed in each son.
Summons (verses 1-2)
Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.” This is more than just an announcement of Jacob’s will, more than informing his sons what inheritance would be theirs. This is a “blessing,” as verse 28 summarizes, and it is also a revelation of what will be true for the descendants of each son more than just the future for the son himself. Here are the destinies of “the twelve tribes of Israel” (verse 28); nomen est omen, the “name is an omen.” Each benediction begins with and is based on something about the son, but it extends to his people. The days to come covers “the whole period from the departure out of Egypt to the reign of Christ” (Calvin). It is no small prophetic blessing.
The order of Jacob’s prophecies is by birth order except in one place where Zebulun is addressed before Issachar.
Reuben (verses 3-4)
Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn of Leah, and Jacob saw him as my might, and the firstfruits of my strength. A son showed Jacob’s virility and, in the firstborn position, Reuben was preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. He had a place of privilege.
We know, as the readers, that Jacob already elevated Ephraim into the firstborn rights. Reuben doesn’t know it as yet, and the way Jacob begins makes it sound like he’s setting up something good. Instead, Jacob was setting up a contrast. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch! It was recorded in just one verse back in chapter 35. The family was moving back to Canaan when Rachel died. Reuben’s lust was unstable and he took the opportunity to make a play for family power. Jacob “heard of it” (Genesis 35:22), but Moses doesn’t record any response. Jacob hasn’t forgotten, and Reube[...]