Genesis 49:1-28
Topic-Jesus Christ in the midst of Jacob’s prophecy
In these passage of scriptures of Genesis 49:1-28, we see Jacob lying in his sickbed in his final hours before his death calling all of his 12 sons together so he could prophecy to each of one them, and to tell them how their tribe would fare in the nation of Israel, especially in the promise land of Caanan.
Now, one of the things that you will notice about each prophecy that Jacob gives to each of his 12 sons is that some of the tribes of Israel would be strong, and some of them would be weak. Some of the tribes would be large, and some of them would be small. But yet through it all, all 12 tribes regardless of the characteristics that Jacob had prophecy that they would become in the future, all 12 tribes would still make up one nation called Israel, and they would all enter into the promise land in Caanan.
And when you think about it, it is the same way in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. You have some Christians who are strong, and you have some Christians who are weak. You have some Christians who have more than others in money, talents, knowledge, gifts, and understanding, and you have some Christian who may not be aas fortunate or blessed as others. But through it all, regardless of our background, we as Christians are still one in Christ Jesus, and we if trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will all have heaven as our eternal home.
Now as we look at each of the 12 sons to whom Jacob had prophesied to, you will noticed that not all of them had the same prophecy, and not all the tribes was gifted to be the same. For example, God had called, anointed and sanctified all the males of the tribe of Levi to the priests for the nation of Israel. God had called, anointed and sanctified the tribe of Judah to be the strongest tribe of all of Israel when it came to fighting in wars, and providing leadership for the nation Israel. God had called, and anointed the tribe of Joseph to be the most fruitful, and the largest tribe of Israel. In matter of fact, God had blessed each tribe with a uniquness that set them apart from one another, but yet they all made up as one nation, the nation of Israel
Likewise, God did not bless us all to have the same gift or talent to work in the church. We all have an uniqueness about ourselves, but as believers in Christ, we all are one body in Christ.
Another thing that you can notice about the 12 sons of Jacob, is that all of them did not have the same mother. Some had Rachel has their mother. Some had Leah as their mother. Some had Bilhah has their mother, and some had Zilpah has their mother. But they all had the same father, Jacob.
Likewise in the body of Christ, some of us came from the south, and some of us came from the north. Some of us came from the west, and some of us came from the east. But we all still have something in common if we all believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; we all have God as our heavenly Father.
Now all of the 12 sons of Jacob had some issues, faults and shortcomings, but yet God was able to band them together to make them one nation.
Likewise, all of us in the church have issues, faults, and shortcomings, but God still has us together as one body in Christ, and still able to use us for his glory.
Now with each prophecy that Jacob gave to the 12 sons of Israel, there are some lessons we can be learned because each of the 12 sons of Jacob had some strengths and each of them had some weaknesses.
To Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son, to whom Jacob had lot’s of promise, to whom Jacob had hoped to be the family ‘s leader when he dies ; Jacob prophecies to him that his tribe would be weak, unstable, and would never excel at anything because of Reuben himself had a unforbidden sexual encounter with Bilhah, who was one of Jacob’s cocubine, and the handmaid to Rachel. And the lesson that we can learn from this Rueben situation is that we must not allow ourselves to get caught up in situations that will mess up our future because you will reap what you sow, for the scripture does say , “Thou shalt not commit adultery”(Exodus 20:14) and to “Flee from fornication”(I Corinthians 6:18)
To Simeon and Levi, Jacob prophesies to them that their tribes would be scattered all over the nation of Israel in the promise land because in anger, they killed a town of men in a town called Shechem because the prince of the town had raped their sister, Dianah. And the lesson that we can learn from Simeon and Levi situation is that when you allow your anger go unchecked, it can cause a lot of headaches for you and can mess up your future because the bible does say to us in Psalm 37:8, “Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
To Judah, Jacob prophecies that his tribe would be praised because it would be one of the strongest tribes in Israel because of it military strength and leadership. It would be a tribe that would be like a baby lion, which is a symbol of strength , security and strength. And the lesson that we can learn from Judah is that to be a strong leader, one must be strong in the Lord because in Ephesians 6:10 says “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
To Zebulum, Jacob prophesies that his tribe would be located in the promise land by the sea where ships would come and go for business transaction. In other words, they would be a tribe that would be a blessing to the nation of Israel and be a blessing to others nations who would come in contact with Israel. And the lesson that we can learn from Zebulum is that we must learn how to be a blessing to others. God blesses us to be a blessing to others, for the scriptures does say in Acts 20:35 that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
To Issachar, Jacob prophecies that his tribe would be strong as a donkey, but in due time would become complacent, lazy, and would become a servant to their enemies. And the lesson that we can learn from Issachar that we can’t allow ourselves to get too satisfied and become lazy and don’t want to work. For the bible does say in 2nd Thessalonians 3:10 that a man who don’ want to work should not eat.”
To Dan, Jacob prophecies that his tribe would develop and produce great judges for the nation of Israel. One of those judges was Samson. But at the same time, some of the rulers from the tribe of Dan will influence Israel to worship idol gods. And the lesson that we can learn from Dan is that we must always influence people to worship God and no one else for the Lord says in Leviticus 26:1, “You shall make you no idols or graven images, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up ay image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.” In matter of fact the tribe of Dan would cease to exist on the earth because of it idol worship. If you would look at Revelation 7:4-8, you will notice that all the tribes of Israel is mentioned as the 12 tribes of Israel that makes up the 144,000 except for the tribe of Dan. And that is a lesson to be learned right there. And the lesson If you worship any one beside the Lord Jesus Christ, you will miss the mark, and fail to make heaven as your home.
To Gad, Jacob prophesies that his tribe would be troubled by his enemies all around him, but in due time the tribe of Gad will overcome them all. And the lesson that we can learn from Gad, that no matter how much your enemies try to attack you, you must know this one thing; Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper……”
To Asher, Jacob prophesies that his tribe would develop a land so fertile that it would yield food that would be fit for a king. And the lesson that we can learn from Asher is that to become a fertile land, that is to be a blessed man or woman of God, you must make it a point to always to be obedient to God’s word because in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 tells us if we take heed and obey the commandments of the Lord, God will bless us every which way.
To Naphtali, Jacob prophesies that his tribe would be like a loose deer jumping over the hills, which means they will break out of bondage, and sing songs of joy. And the lesson that we can learn from Naphtali is that we should always have a song of praise in our mouth for the good things that the Lord has done for us for Psalm 100:1 say, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
To Joseph, Jacob prophesies that his tribe would be a fruitful, blessed and strong tribe in numbers and in strength.. And the lesson that we can learn from Joseph is that to become a fruitful person, we must be connected to Jesus Christ who is the Vine, and we are his branches, and if we abide in him, we shall bear much fruit in our lives.(John 15).
And to Benjamin, Jacob prophesies that they would be a small tribe, but yet like a ravenous wolf who will ready to fight when the need arises to protect its turf.. And the lesson that we can learn from Benjamin is that we should not be afraid to stand up and fight for what is right because in Isaiah 12:2 says, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
Now everything that Jacob had prophesies about each 12 sons of his came to pass. But yet the most important prophecy that Jacob had given was the one that he gave to Judah. In Genesis 49:10, Jacob says, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come: and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
From the tribe of Judah, we have some of the greatest Kings that had ruled the nation of Israel such as King David, King Solomon, King Jehosaphat, King Hezekiah, and King Josiah. But the greatest of all the Kings that came out of the tribe of Judah is Shiloh. And Shiloh is no other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As Shiloh, Jesus is known as the Peace Giver.
Psalm 29:11 says, “The lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteh in thee.”
John 14:27says, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.; no as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Phillpians 4:6-7 says, “Be careful for nothing: but by everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving , let your request be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Also as Shiloh, Jesus is known as the Rest Giver.
Exodus 33:14 says, “My presence shall go with thee, and I wil give thee rest.”
Matthew 11:29, Jesus says, to “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heary, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Not only is Jesus known as “Shiloh, but He is also know as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”, which means that Jesus Christ is the strongest member in the tribe of Judah, for He came into the world as a little baby boy through the tribe of Judah. Now notice that the name Judah means, “Praise.” Jesus Christ came into this world through a tribe of praise. Even though Jesus Christ was born in a smelly manger in Bethlehem, He was still born into this world through the tribe of Judah which means praise. And there is a lesson to be learned right there. I don’t care how tough life is around you, you still need to give God the praise. You may be down and out, but still give God the praise. All of your friends and love one has forsaken you, but still give God the praise!!!!
Now check this out. Out of all the sons of Jacob, God chooses the tribe of Judah for His son Jesus Christ to come into the world. Now the name Judah means praise. But Judah the person , his life was not always about praise.
For in Genesis 37, we see Judah along with his brothers hating Joseph for his dreams, throwing him a pit and selling him into slavery for 20 pieces of silver.
In Genesis 38, we see Judah leaving his father’s house and his brethern and he goes off and marries an woman who did not love or worship the Lord. In other words, he was in a unequally yoked marriage.
Then we see Judah had raised two sons which whom God had to kill off the scene because they were so wicked.
We also see Judah’s wife dies, and begins to lie and being deceitful to his daughter in law, Tamar, in promising to give her to marriage to his youngest son..
We also see Judah having a sexual relationship with Tamar, his daughter in law who had dressed up like a prostitute, and she ends up pregnant by him with twins.
Yes, Judah’s life was anything but praise. But yet as time went on, Judah became a change man. He repented of his sins and begins to worship and follow the LORD.
And the lesson that we can learn from Judah is that matter how bad or wicked a person can be, God is still able to change that person and use to be a blessing to the world. For the bible says, If any man be in Christ, He is a new creature!!!!!!! For the bible also says, “Whosoever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!!!!!
