Prophesied Legacy (Genesis 49)

Can we escape the legacy of our family history? What legacy are we leaving behind for our descendants? Let’s discuss the legacy of Israel’s descendants in Genesis 49.

Did Israel prophesy what would happen to the twelve tribes?

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. (Genesis 49:1-2 KJV)

What would happen to Reuben? Was his legacy the result of one horrible sin, adultery with his father’s concubine, Bilhah?

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrollable 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. (Genesis 49:3-4 NASB)

What about Simeon and Levi? Was their legacy a mass murder, to avenge their sister’s rape?

“Simeon and Levi are brothers—their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel. (Genesis 49:5-7 NIV)

What about Judah? Does the scepter picture royalty? David and Christ descended from this tribe? Is Jesus the one whom all nations will honor?

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk. (Genesis 49:8-12 NLT)

What of Zebulun and Issachar? What would their legacy be? Was Zebulun intended to border the sea of Gennesaret, lake Galilee (Joshua 19:11)?

“Zebulun will dwell at the haven of the sea. He will be for a haven of ships. His border will be on Sidon. “Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags. He saw a resting place, that it was good, the land, that it was pleasant. He bows his shoulder to the burden, and becomes a servant doing forced labor. (Genesis 49:13-15 WEB)

What about Dan? What does a snake have to do with his legacy? Will Dan have to wait for salvation?

Dan will settle disputes for his people, as one of Israel’s tribes. Dan will be a snake on the road, a serpent on the path, biting a horse’s heels, so its rider falls backward. I long for your victory, Lord. [I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.] (Genesis 49:16-18 CEB)

What about Gad, Asher and Naphtali? What would their legacies be? Would nomadic tribes harass Gad? Would Asher possess perhaps especially productive farmland? Would Naphtali be free and graceful, singing beautiful songs?

Gad, you will be attacked, then attack your attackers. Asher, you will eat food fancy enough for a king. Naphtali, you are a wild deer with lovely fawns. (Genesis 49:19-21 CEV)

What about Joseph? Would his legacy now be great? Was there a hint at both Joseph’s suffering and his two tribes' future history?

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers. (Genesis 49:22-26 ESV)

What about Benjamin? What would his legacy be? Would they be a warlike tribe, evidenced in both Ehud and Saul?

Benjamin is a wolf; he tears his prey. In the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder.” (Genesis 49:27 HCSB)