Genesis 48 & 49 Blessings

Jacob is at the end of his life. Before dying, he gives blessings to Joseph’s son. Jacob also speaks prophecies and blessings into the lives of all his sons.

Our bible separates the blessings of Joseph’s sons from that of Jacob’s sons. I’m not certain if these ‘blessing sessions’ were back-to-back or on different days. The language in our text could go either way. I choose to put them together. If they were together, I’m curious why Jacob’s other sons didn’t bring their children in for a blessing too. Possibly because Jacob said that he claimed Joseph’s sons, who were born to him before their reunion, as his own. Let’s join the family as they hear their father’s final words.

♥ ♦ ♥

Jacob feels his life slipping away from him. He is not sorry to see it leaving. He is 147 years old. He has lived a good long time and has been blessed by God in SO MANY ways. His children are his dearest blessings from God.

Reuben finds his Abba still in bed this morning.

“Abba, are you alright” Reuben asks.

Jacob’s voice is thick with flehm and his breathing is labored. “No, my son. I am not. I feel that my time here on earth is ending.”

“Don’t talk like that Abba!” Reuben reaches a hand out and places it on Jacob’s forehead, checking for fever. Finding no fever Reuben strokes his Abba’s hair for a moment as he digests the words he has just heard. Yes. His Abba has lived a good long time, but he is not ready to lose him yet.

“Send word to Joseph that I am ill. I want to see him one more time before I die.”

“It will be done immediately” replies Reuben.

Reuben steps from Jacob’s tent and sees Zerah passing by.

“Zerah” Reuben calls out.

Zerah stops in his tracks and looks over at his uncle. Reuben motions with his hand for the young man to join him.

“What is it uncle?”

“Your grand Abba is very weak. He believes that his time is short on this earth. He wants to see his son, Joseph, right away. Please go and carry this news to him.”

“I won’t fail you uncle.”

“I know you wont” answers Reuben.

Zerah goes to the stall where their camels are kept and selects the swiftest camel. This trip will not be made on foot. Time is of the essence!

Zerah made it to the city where Joseph lived in just over an hour. He decided to try and look for Joseph at his home first as the day is still young. As Zerah rides up to his destination, he sees that it was a good choice. Joseph is on his portico bidding his family farewell for the morning.

Joseph looks out into the street as he hears the sound of the fast-moving camel. He immediately recognizes Judah’s son. Joseph moves to the edge of his portico beside the steps to await Zerah’s arrival.

Zerah dismounts and bows before Joseph before speaking. “My lord, your Abba is very ill. He wishes to see you before he dies.”

Joseph knew this day was coming but it doesn’t soften the blow at all. “Thank you Zerah. I will come right away. Let the family know I am on the way.”

Zerah remounts his camel and is off before Joseph even makes it to the door to his house. Joseph turns to Asenath. She stood silently while Joseph spoke with his nephew. Her hand is over her mouth and there are tears in her eyes. She feels Joseph’s pain, even if he isn’t showing it himself yet.

Joseph gathers her in his arms. “I have to go to my father. I must also take Manasseh and Ephriam.”

Asenath looks at Joseph with a puzzled expression. “Why take the boys” she asks.

“It is my heart’s desire for my father to bless them before he dies. This may be my only opportunity to do so” replies Joseph.

Asenath nods and goes into the house to ready their sons. Joseph goes to the stable to have his chariot made ready. A few minutes later, the family meets at the steps. Asenath watches as the boys join their father in the chariot. She stands sentinel as the move through the streets on their way to Jacob. “Be with my husband as he journeys to see his father. Let him arrive in time too Lord” Asenath silently prays to the God of Joseph.

Joseph arrives not long after Zerah. All the brothers are assembled in the clearing when Joseph arrives. Reuben had sent for them as soon as Zerah was dispatched to Joseph. The brothers briefly embrace.

Bilhah has been attending Jacob since Reuben saw him this morning. Upon hearing Joseph’s voice through the tent walls she told Jacob; “Your son Joseph has come to you” (verse 2a).

Jacob summoned all his strength and sat up in bed. Bilhah arranged pillows behind him to assist him in maintaining his position.

Reuben speaks to Joseph. “Abba called for you Joseph. You should go in to see him first. We will wait here.”

Joseph nods. “My sons will accompany me” Joseph announces.

The brothers stand silently as Joseph, Manasseh and Ephriam enter Jacob’s tent. As Joseph and his sons enter, Bilhah leaves. She touches Joseph on the arm and gives him a sympathetic smile as they pass one another.

Joseph announces their presence with a heartfelt greeting. “Shalom Abba. I have come and brought my sons with me.”

Jacob nods his head and reaches out a hand toward Joseph’s voice. Joseph quickly advances and takes Jacob’s hand in his.

“God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mind, as Reuben and Simeon are. And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is Bethlehem)” (Genesis 48:3-7).

This brought tears to Joseph’s eyes. Jacob was placing Joseph’s two sons in a position to directly inherit from Jacob. They would inherit as sons instead of grandsons. Not that Joseph sought honor for himself or his sons, but he treasured the honor bestowed on them.

Jacob looked up and saw the forms of Joseph’s sons hovering near the door of the tent. They were unsure as to what they should be doing, so they stood quietly. “Who are these” Jacob asks.

Joseph looked up at his sons and smiled before answering. “They are my sons, whom God has given me here” (Genesis 48:9a).

A smile warms Jacob’s heart and face. “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them” (Genesis 48:9b) said Jacob.

Joseph motions for the boys to join him at his Abba’s side. Joseph brought his sons very close to their grand Abba, as he could not see well at all. Jacob reached up and embraced each of them and gave them kisses while they were in his arms. He sat them on his knees.

Jacob turned his attention back to Joseph. With tears in his eyes Jacob speaks out of the fullness of his heart. “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also” (Genesis 48:11).

After a few minutes, Joseph gathered his sons from his father’s knees. To prepare for the blessing, Joseph bowed himself to the ground. He took Ephraim in his right hand, which was on Jacob’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand, which was on Jacob’s right, and presented them to his Abba.

Unobserved by Joseph, Jacob crossed his hands and placed them on the boys. This put Jacob’s right hand of blessing on Ephraim; Joseph’s youngest. Jacob’s right hand rested on Manasseh; Joseph’s oldest. Then Jacob began his blessing. “The God before whim my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the earth” (Genesis 48:15-16).

Joseph is moved by this blessing. He raises his head to take in his son’s reaction. He is shocked to see that his Abba has crossed his hands when placing them on his sons. He quickly reaches up and grasps his Abba’s hand that was resting on Ephraim’s head, intending to move it to Manasseh’s. As he does so, he says; “Not this way, my father; since this one is the first-born, put your right hand on his head” (Genesis 48:18b).

With strength he didn’t even know he still possessed, Jacob held his hand firmly in place. “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19).

Joseph immediately released his Abba’s hand and stayed silent as his Abba continued his blessing.

“By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and Manasseh’” (Genesis 48:20).

After completing his blessing, Jacob removed his hands from Ephraim and Manasseh. He then addressed Joseph. He has something physical he wants to give to Joseph before he dies. “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and my bow” (Genesis 48:21-22).

Joseph is speechless. He didn’t even know that his Abba had done this, let alone that he would be the one it would pass to. He wished there was time to hear the story behind this piece of property. However, he could see the toll even this visit was taking on his Abba. He would not rob his brothers of a final visit with their Abba.

“Abba, may I bring my brothers in so that you may bless them as well?”

“Yes please”, said Jacob.

Joseph turned to his sons and moved them back through the door. “Remain here with your cousins while my brothers and I visit with my father.” Joseph then looked to his brothers who stood in a group. “Abba is ready for us.”

All of Jacob’s sons carefully squeezed into Jacob’s tent. It was crowded but none of the brothers would complain. Jacob got right to the point. He had something to say to each of his children.

“Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come” (Genesis 49:1).

“We are all here Abba” replied Reuben.

Jacob nodded and then his face grew stern. “Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.”

“Reuben…”

Reuben stepped forward, anxious to hear what his Abba would say of him.

“… you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power…”

Reuben’s chest swells at his Abba’s words.

“…Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; they you defiled it – he went to my couch!…”

Reuben’s face fell and shame bloomed across it like a raging fire. He stepped behind his brothers.

“Simeon and Levi…”

The two brothers step forward. There is caution in their steps.

“…are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords…”

Their heads drop and they stare at the ground while Jacob begins to reveal their shame.

“…Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen…”

Jacob looks directly toward where they are standing as he continues. “…Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I sill divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel…”

This last portion carried the weight of the Lord’s voice as Jacob spoke the words. Simeon and Levi quickly join Reuben behind their brothers. Their faces all reflecting pain at the cutting words of their Abba.

“Judah,…”

Judah steps forward. He braces himself for whatever his Abba has for him. “Please don’t let it be like those who came before me” Judah thinks to himself.

“… your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you…”

Judah is stunned. This is certainly nothing like his brother’s ‘blessings’! Or at least not so far.

“…Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you gave gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s cold to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk…”

It is all Judah can do to take in all that his Abba has said. His future is nothing like his older brothers’. He almost feels guilty as he joins them behind his other brothers.

“Zebulun…”

Zebulun stepped forward. He is not sure what to expect.

“… shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon…”

“Is that it” thinks Zebulun. “And what does that mean to me?” He steps back with his brothers as he hears his Abba moving on to his brother.

“Issachar…”

Issachar quickly steps forward.

“… is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds. He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor…”

Issachar shakes his head. “Does Abba think that I will become a slave?” he thinks as he too joins his brothers.

“Dan…”

Dan steps forward. He is not sure he wants to hear any of this. His Abba has not been kind to most of his brothers. But he will submit himself to his Abba, no matter what comes.

“… shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heel so that his rider falls backward. I wait for your salvation, O Lord…”

Dan looks at his brothers with confusion on his brow. He wants to ask his Abba what that is supposed to mean. He doesn’t even have time to join his older brothers before Jacob moves on.

“…Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels…”

Gad hasn’t moved from his original place. “My prophecy isn’t that bad” he thinks. He quickly turns his attention back to his Abba’s words to the rest of his brothers.

“Asher’s food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies…”

Asher too is confused but pleased that his prophecy is pleasant. He does enjoy good food!

“Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns…”

Naphtali breathes a sigh of relief now that his turn has come. He is comfortable with his prophecy. He supposes it means that he will have beautiful children. He can live with that.

Jacob continues on without missing a beat. “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 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…”

Joseph is moved to tears by his blessing. His Abba seems to have addressed his whole life in this prophecy, including his captivity. He prays that he doesn’t know whom the ‘archers’ were. He does not want to ever burden his Abba with that knowledge.

Jacob moves onto his youngest son. “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey and at evening dividing the spoil” (Genesis 49:3-27).

Benjamin is content with his blessing and prophecy. It leaves him as a victor.

Once Jacob finished with each of his sons’ blessings, he addressed the same matter that he had Joseph swear to. “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite; in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field form Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah – the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites” (Genesis 49:28-32).

(to be continued)

Jacob apparently held grudges. He did not forget his sons’ sins, and he proved that in his blessings for the first three of them. I’m hoping they understood their prophecies better than I do. The last time we came to this portion of scripture, I didn’t do a ‘first person’ story because I really don’t understand all that Jacob had to say. But I trust that God was behind his words to his sons. IF I was a bible scholar, I might search out their meanings and how they were played out in the tribes that bore their names. I can see the meanings and ramifications of some of them, but not all. Until today, I didn’t see how Joseph’s spoke of all he had endured already. As far as we know, Jacob was never told how Joseph ended up in Egypt. If he did, that would probably have been his number one focus in the blessings he gave.

Father God, thank You for Your blessings in my life. Even the blessings that didn’t look like blessings until they were in the past. My life would not be what it is today without each of them. I wonder what You would say if I stood before You as Jacob’s sons did that day. Would my future be shrouded in mystery? Would I recognize where I had been? Would I like what I heard? Would my face be covered in shame or glory?

There will be a day when I stand before You face-to-face. On that day, the words You say to me will carry more weight than any other words spoken in my entire life! And they will be set in line with my relationship with Your Son; Jesus. They will be positive only because of Jesus’ work on my behalf. If not for His work, the only words I could expect to hear would be; “Depart from me, for I knew you not.” Instead, because of Jesus, I will hear You say; “Welcome home my child!” Beyond that, I will have to wait and see; while I do the things set before me to do for Your Kingdom.