Read
Jacob Blesses His Sons
1Jacob called his sons together and said:
My sons, I am Jacob,
your father Israel.
2Come, gather around,
as I tell your future.
3Reuben, you are my oldest,
born at the peak of my powers;
you were an honored leader.
4Uncontrollable as a flood,
you slept with my wife
and disgraced my bed.
And so you no longer deserve
the place of honor.
5Simeon and Levi,
you are brothers,
each a gruesome sword.
6I never want to take part
in your plans or deeds.
You slaughtered people
in your anger,
and you crippled cattle
for no reason.
7Now I place a curse on you
because of
your fierce anger.
Your descendants
will be scattered
among the tribes of Israel.
8Judah, you will be praised
by your brothers;
they will bow down to you,
as you defeat your enemies.
9 My son, you are a lion
ready to eat your victim!
You are terribly fierce;
no one will bother you.
10You will have power and rule
until nations obey you
and come bringing gifts.
11You will tie your donkey
to a choice grapevine
and wash your clothes
in wine from those grapes.
12Your eyes are darker than wine,
your teeth whiter than milk.
13Zebulun, you will settle
along the seashore
and provide safe harbors
as far north as Sidon.
14Issachar, you are a strong donkey
resting in the meadows.
15You found them so pleasant
that you worked too hard
and became a slave.
16Dan, you are the tribe
that will bring justice
to Israel.
17You are a snake that bites
the heel of a horse,
making its rider fall.
18Our Lord, I am waiting
for you to save us.
19Gad, you will be attacked,
then attack your attackers.
20Asher, you will eat food
fancy enough for a king.
21Naphtali, you are a wild deer
with lovely fawns.
22Joseph, you are a fruitful vine
growing near a stream
and climbing a wall.
23Enemies attacked with arrows,
refusing to show mercy.
24But you stood your ground,
swiftly shooting back
with the help of Jacob's God,
the All-Powerful One—
his name is the Shepherd,
Israel's mighty rock.
25Your help came from the God
your father worshiped,
from God All-Powerful.
God will bless you with rain
and streams from the earth;
he will bless you
with many descendants.
26My son, the blessings I give
are better than the promise
of ancient mountains
or eternal hills.
Joseph, I pray these blessings
will come to you,
because you are the leader
of your brothers.
27Benjamin, you are a fierce wolf,
destroying your enemies
morning and evening.
28These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is how Jacob gave each of them their proper blessings.
Reflect
I was privileged to be raised in a home where I was loved and “blessed”. My parents’ blessing has been significant throughout my life. As I headed off for college I wanted to know that I was making them proud. When I was married I wanted their approval of my choice of a life-partner. As I raised my children I wanted to hear that I was doing a good job as a mom. To this day I seek their blessing.
We all want to hear words of hope, encouragement, acceptance, love, and blessing don’t we? Be it by our parents, friends, teachers or employers.
As we consider this passage we have the privilege of entering into a sacred, prophetic, and momentous occasion reserved for a significant time. Picture with me Jacob’s twelve sons lined up with the anticipation of receiving their father’s blessing before he died. Jacob knew how important this moment was. So important that he had stolen a blessing from his brother Esau years before. Even so, while Jacob intentionally gathered his sons “to tell them their future” and “give to each of them their proper blessing” do you think he recognized how his words would take effect? Did he realize how God’s sovereignty would unfold? In particular, could he fully understand when he blessed Judah that he was actually prophesying the Lion of Judah, the Messiah, our Saviour Jesus Christ?
Throughout history, God has used the giving and receiving of the blessing to identify Jesus’ family line beginning with Abraham in Genesis 12. As we see history unfolding we are witness to God’s sovereign plan. As heirs of Christ, you and I have the divine privilege of being a part of that plan. How has God blessed you? Will you share of his blessing in your life with someone today?
Respond
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your blessing in my life. Thank you for sending your Son to live and die for me personally so that I could become your heir. Help me to bless others by sharing with them the eternal hope and future I have found in you. Amen.
Lisa Elliott
Lisa Elliott is a popular inspirational speaker and award-winning author of The Ben Ripple; Choosing to Live through Loss with Purpose and Dancing in the Rain. Born and raised in Toronto, ON, Lisa is a graduate of Ontario Bible College (Tyndale). She is a pastor’s wife of over 25 years and mother of four children (3 on earth, 1 in heaven). She has written for Just Between Us Magazine and writes a column for Word Alive Press’s website entitled, Straight from the Heart. Lisa’s passion is to share the life changing truths and principles from God’s Word straight from the heart. She and her husband, David are presently serving the Lord in London, Ontario.