Genesis 49 Commentary
The aged Jacob calls his sons together (like Isaac did) to bless them. It’s for the nation that he births. However, individual sons provide captions for each entry.
Reuben is first. He is dislodged from his top slot as the firstborn because of sexual sin with his father’s wife, Bilhah. There is more about Reuben’s character which Jacob references. Turbulence. Instability. We are not surprised.
Simeon and Levi are huddled together as their characters and fate are similar. The LORD would scatter them in Israel.
The scattering draws a parallel with the scattering at Babel. Adam was scattered out of Eden. Cain was scattered from the “good” land. Israel would experience more scatterings throughout her long history.
During the first census, as recorded in the Book of Numbers, Simeon numbered 59, 300. During the second census, taken approximately after 40 years, Simeon numbered 22,200. Other tribes recorded an increase or only minor reduction but Simeon reduced by more than half. This could explain why Simeon could only get portions of land within Judah, instead of a well-defined full portion.
Sin has lasting consequences! It’s so scary!
However, the good news is that the LORD God can make things look good out of a desperate situation. Yes, Levi is also scattered but his good works (under Moses) saw him serve as a priest – scattered everywhere in Israel!
Judah is next. The patriarch has a lot of words for Judah. He is a leader. He would hold on to the scepter until the rightful owner comes – until the real seed.
Judah is a lion’s cub. He is also a lion and a lioness at the same time. The imagery is powerful! The title of Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah has its roots in this blessing of Judah here. The picture of Jesus as the Lion of Judah is often shown as a fully grown lion, at his full strength – mane fully grown and blown. It is just part of the story. Jacob uses all the lions in their manifestations – male lion, lioness, and cub. The imagery is complete and truly powerful!
Even a chicken will attack you if you mess with her chicks. Don’t mess with a cub! Judah’s God is powerful – that’s the message here. Judah rules; Judah protects. Judah is strong. But his decision to “go in”, in place of Benjamin gives you the picture of the Lamb of God. The Lion and the Lamb, at the same time – the gospel can never be any more complex!
“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.” Verse 8. Jacob’s blessing was passed on to Israel through Judah.
The blessing of Zebulun speaks of commerce and industry. Jacob deliberately locates Zebulun by the coast in preparation for Zebulun’s occupation. Israel would be a trading nation and the LORD provisions for that. Issachar speaks of a complacent Israel falling under the yoke of slavery. The enslavement in Egypt reminds you of Issachar’s “blessing”.
Jacob adds more meat to the Abrahamic blessing. It is also prophetic.
A man does well when he pays attention to his words and actions. They define a path for whoever they father. Simeon gives a scary picture. But Levi gives us hope that an individual can, by godly decisions, realign the parameters towards the LORD God.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 