Genesis 49:1,2 “And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather
together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: “Gather
together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.”
In the end of the book of Genesis, the Lord gives some blessings,
prophesy, discipline and punishments to the sons of Jacob through his mouth. We
have lessons from that portion of scripture to learn. Jacob makes the sons to
gather together before the message is passed and this criticism or appreciation
is not given personally in secret which shows how the Church should handle
disciplining. We are expected to gather together and learn everything that is
given to others too. We may think that this communication should be done in
private as per Mathew 18:15 but the following verses recommend taking the issue
publicly. One important step in “denying ourselves” is to be ready to receive
criticisms publicly. This helps us to be serious in fixing the errors and also
edifies other fellow brothers. But it is important for others not to dishonor
the brother who is being corrected. We do not see any other brother speaking with
pride in this incident.
About Rueben, we read that he has dignity, power and might.
But there are some areas which are forbidden because that glory only belongs to
God. Because of this desire, the power and might would become unstable and
useless. Stability is taught a lot by our Lord Jesus like building on a rock, seeds
sown on good ground etc. The first thing that makes us lose all this position
and make us waver is greed. The verse says that you are unstable and will not
excel meaning all your might will not be useful for you to grow.
For Simeon and Levi, there is no encouragement because they
are cruel. This thirst for blood clearly makes God go away from our fellowship.
There is no relationship with God if there is no love. Cruelty will scatter us
away from the Church and family. Selfish ambitions which desires success
through others’ failures or losses has to be condemned instantly and corrected.
God looks at cruelty as dishonor to Himself (Proverbs 14:31).
About Judah, we read that he is compared to a lion which grows
up from being a cub which has control over all his enemies to a maturity level
which bows down. This maturity which bows down cannot be roused by others. This
maturity is the time when Judah gets the scepter and authority. Donkey in the
case points at movement, growth or ambitions. The Vine is Christ as we know.
The quality of a person of successful authority is that all his ambitions are
bound to Christ. This binding cleanses and keeps him clean. And red eyes and
white teeth denote both the qualities which do not stand disobedience because
of the presence of wine and the fruitfulness of perfection which is milk. This
blessing to Judah should be every Christian’s standard.
Zebulun plays the role of a host. This is the position of a
communicator and standing in the gap. We should be eager to receive people
towards Christ and ensure every outcome is sent to the Almighty. Issachar sees
that rest is good and became slaves. This is again another reason for slavery. When
he is a donkey which has to progress by binding itself to Christ, he saw that
the land was good and so became a band of slaves. This is because Issachar saw
that the land was good and wanted to rest peacefully instead of performing a
donkey’s job of progress.
Speaking about Dan, he would judge but have a viper’s
quality of hurting a person who progresses. For this Jacob adds that “I have
waited for your salvation o Lord.” Cunningness cannot be overcome or survived
unless the Lord himself intervenes and saves us out. We have to fear this habit
like serious venom and have to ask God to help us out.
Like Gad, we will be raided by the world and its illusion. But
we will triumph for sure in the end as we are saved by God. Asher’s bread will
be rich and pleasant to royal dainties meaning, our produces are not expected
to satisfy ourselves but God and according to His divine standards. Naphtali
uses beautiful words and is like a deer let loose. When God has given us freedom
in our family, work etc., we are expected to produce beautiful words in terms
of songs, sermons, letters which encourage people towards God. It is God’s
divine wisdom that gives each person opportunities and life in accordance to
his divine will.
Joseph is fruitful bough, which grows really well and
branches run over the wall. This means that a wall was built around Joseph so
that others do not consume, but Joseph has run over the wall so that everybody would
come and be satisfied. But when arches come and grieved him bitterly, God, the
God of Jacob, the Almighty God blesses Joseph with blessings from heaven, from
earth and for off-springs all together so that Joseph’s bow alone will stand
still. God did not protect Joseph or give him everything of the world so that
he would excel. Instead God, with all His might and strength has strengthened
only Joseph’s bow.
About Benjamin who is a wolf which devours in the day but
shares in the night points at one important person from the tribe of Benjamin
who had shared the spoil, which is Jesus Christ throughout the world. This is
Paul the apostle. We can see the reference of Christ being the spoil also in
Isaiah 9:3.
Amen.
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