Genesis 49:1-28

To be blessed by God (Gen. 48) does not mean that we are equipped by Him to live life without consideration of our character.  As you read today’s chapter you may have thought it to be an account of Jacob’s blessing on all his sons.  But in fact, this is much more an evaluation of character.  Jacob attributes to his sons a prophecy (what will befall you, v2) based on what he has seen in their lives.  Certainly the opening words to Reuben, Simeon and Levi can hardly be confused with a blessing.  We suspect the same holds for the rest.  Do we not recognize this?  Our personal character will be quite determinative as to the accomplishments of this life.

Jacob’s words to 2 of the sons stand out.

·        v8-12: Judah’s name means “praise” which is a theme in his father’s words.  He will be a leader of the brothers, something that has already happened.  And most importantly, through Judah will come the Messiah.  This is seen in v10.  When Israel becomes a nation and has a king, that king will come from Judah.  The later history of Israel bears this out, of course.  Israel first asked for a king like everyone else had (1 Sam. 8) so God gave them Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.  But after Saul’s failure to obey God David was chosen of the tribe of Judah.  It was David who was the man after God’s heart.  He is the king with whom God made the unconditional covenant that he would never cease to have a king on his throne (2 Sam. 7:16).  This covenant has it’s fulfillment in the Messiah.  A closer look at Gen. 49:10 reveals that God actually refers to the Messiah as from Judah’s line.  The phrase “until Shiloh comes” or “until he comes to whom it (the scepter) belongs” is a reference to the ultimate King of Jacob’s household (note how Luke 1:32-33 so specifically applies this to Christ).

·        v22-26: Joseph, of course, is also exalted in Jacob’s words.  In essence Jacob summarizes the life of Joseph.  Though he was shot at and hated, he remained strong through the Mighty God of Jacob, El Shaddai.  Note the wonderful names of God, all speaking of His sovereign power in caring for Joseph.  God had done this through Joseph’s years of slavery and prison; God would continue to do this for Joseph for generations to come.

As the ages would unfold in the time leading up to Christ it is clear that Judah and Ephraim are the leading tribes in Israel.  At times they are at odds with each other; when the kingdom is divided each will lead one of the kingdoms.  

Let us be clear.  We need God’s blessing, God’s grace, God’s favor.  But let us not think that God grace makes character a side issue.  That was the sin of the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 5) when they seemed proud of the fact that they welcomed unrepentant sinners into the fellowship.  We are all sinners.  But the goal is Christ-likeness (Rom. 8:29).  As we have seen through Genesis, God will chasten His chosen ones that they might become His righteous ones.  Character is critical to our pilgrimage.