Genesis 49: A Father's Good-bye

"When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people" (vs. 33).  In Genesis, 49, Israel, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, dies.

Before being "gathered to his people" (I love that euphemism for death!), however, Israel gathers his sons together at his bedside and speaks a blessing over each of them.  In some cases, old scores are settled, prophecies are issued, and tenderness is shared.  Family blessings were very important in that culture, perhaps especially to Jacob, who had disguised himself as Esau those many years ago to secure the blessing that should have gone the firstborn.

Yet the first three sons of Israel receive chastisement rather than praise from their father.  Reuben, the eldest, is criticized for taking his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22).  Similarly, Simeon and Levi, Israel's second and third born, respectively, lose their place in their father's eyes.  Their sin was the slaughter of Hamor and Shechem and their city for what they had done to their sister Dinah (Genesis 34:25).

It is to Judah that the leadership of the family is passed (vs. 8-12).  Reading these verses gives us startling clues as to what will follow in the Bible:

• The tribe of Judah will be in charge. (This will come to pass with the reign of David and his descendants, ultimately culminating in Jesus.)
• For the first time, a lion is associated with Judah (The lion of the tribe of Judah is Jesus.)
• The scepter shall not depart from Judah (The eternal kingship of Jesus is alluded to here.)
• There is talk of a foal, a donkey's colt (This will also loom large in the ministry of Jesus on Palm Sunday.)
• The vine is mentioned (Jesus said, "I am the vine.")
• "He washes his garments in wine, and his robe in the blood of grapes" (Jesus took the cup, saying, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.")

Most of the rest of the brothers receive a more traditional blessing, some of which has to do with the future geographical inheritance of their tribes in the Promised Land.

Joseph, however, comes in for a long and deep blessing by his father.  Perhaps still Israel's favorite, it is clear that Joseph is beloved through the beautiful blessing that his father speaks over him.

With his business on earth now finished and the words that he needed to say now spoken, their father has said good-bye to his sons and is gathered to his people.