JOSEPH #33 | JOSEPH IN EGYPT #15 | LAST WORDS OF JACOB #4
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3629
JOSEPH #33
JOSEPH IN EGYPT #15
LAST WORDS OF JACOB #4
Jacob's famous deathbed prophecy ( Genesis 49 ) over his sons was more than just mere blessings.
His words reveal their character, conduct, and divine call on their lives.
1. Three of them would learn that their past conduct and sins will cost them their future inheritance ( Gen.49:3-7 ) i.e. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi.
2. But to each tribe was assured a future place in the Promised Land.
3. Jacob even mentions Shiloh ( v.10 ) - a revelation of the Messiah to come.
God gave Jacob 6 sons by Leah his unloved wife. Two of her sons were outstanding: Levi the founder of the priestly tribe, and Judah the father of the royal tribe.
1. Reuben ( vv.3-4 ) forfeited his firstborn privilege by his lust. It was therefore given to Joseph and his two sons.
His character which determined the fate of his tribe was described as "unstable as water."
In so many words, he was weak but destructive.
2. Simeon and Levi (vv.5-7 ) were guilty of anger and violence in their cruel massacre of the Shechemites ( Gen.34:25-31 ).
They were therefore not fit to be "in their assembly".
The tribe of Simeon was eventually absorbed into the tribe of Judah ( Joshua 19:1,9 ).
And Levi's tribe was given 48 towns ( cities of refuge ) to live in instead of their own territorial allotment of land.
Although today's lesson is more an exhortation about reaping what we sow, it is perhaps worthwhile to note God's sovereign but merciful hand over our lives.
God knew of the future sufferings of their descendants who will be enslaved by the Egyptians.
But Jacob's prophetic words given beforehand will be a great source of encouragement that one day their descendants would make it back to the Promised Land in freedom under God's mighty hand.
