LEGACY AND PROPHECY FOR 12 SONS

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GENESIS 49

Lesson #64

LEGACY AND PROPHECY FOR 12 SONS

• Memory verse: Rom 8:17
• Read Gen 49:1-12
  • At the end of Jacob’s life, he not only adopted Joseph’s two sons and distributed the birthright to them, but he also pronounced a prophecy over each of his sons.
  • Like all the word of God, these are Holy Spirit inspired for which God has fulfilled and will continue to fulfill.
    • Some of the prophecies were curses, some blessings, some descriptions of character, and some were of future events.
    • Some of the statements start out referring to the son, but like all Bible prophecy, usually they extend beyond the son to later descendants. They start with the immediate present and extend to distant future.
  • Moses, in Deu 33:6, gave another prophecy of the 12 tribes which corresponds with that by Jacob in Gen 49. It is interesting to compare the two.
• Reuben (1) Gen 49:3-4 Deu 33:6 Rev 7:5
  • Reuben had the place of excellency (the birthright).
    • However, he lost the place of excellency (birthright) because of sin (Gen 35:22) (1Chr 5:1,2).
    • This tribe shall not excel.
    • It is interesting how one sin can affect your descendants.
  • This tribe produced no king, no prophet, and no judge.
    • In the first numbering of the tribes, Reuben had 46,500 men (Num 1:21).
    • However, in Num 26:7 they were the only tribe to decrease. They then had 43,730.
  • Moses’ prophecy in Deu 33:6 said they would not totally disappear.
    • The tribe would be “unstable as water”.
    • Unstable as water = dry up like a stream in the summer desert.
    • They chose the land on the east side of the Jordan River, in the permissive will of God, nearest to their enemies. (Num 32:1-8 Jos 13:15-23)
    • They failed to do their part in battle. (Jdg 5:15-16)
    • Important people from this tribe: None.
• Simeon (2) Gen 49:5-7 Rev 7:7
  • Simeon was an instrument of cruelty and self will.
    • He was responsible for the massacre of the Shechemites in Gen 34.
    • He was probably also responsible for selling Joseph into Egyptian slavery. (Gen 42:24)
    • This tribe was considered by the others to be fierce warriors. (Jdg 1:3 1Chr 4:42,43)
  • He will be cursed.
    • This tribe was swallowed up by the tribe of Judah.
    • Simeon’s land will be scattered.
    • Their land was scattered in the midst of Judah’s land (Jos 19:1-9)
  • Important people from this tribe: none
  • Moses does not even mention this tribe in Deu 33.
• Levi (3) Gen 49:5-7 Deu 33:8-11 Rev 7:7
  • Levi is an instrument of cruelty and self will.
    • Levi was equally responsible for the massacre of the Shechemites in Gen 34.
    • He will be cursed.
    • This curse was canceled when the Levites stood with Moses for God in Exo 32:26-28 Num 25:6-13.
  • Moses says this tribe will be the priests for worship of God and to teach the people the ways of God.
  • This tribe’s land will be scattered.
    • Even though the curse was canceled, the consequences remained.
    • This tribe inherited no land in the Promised Land but possessed 48 scattered cities throughout the land. (Jos 2:1) God said He was their inheritance. (Num 18:20)
    • Important people from this tribe: Moses, Aaron. Eli, Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra, and John the Baptist.
• Judah (4) Gen 49:8-10 Deu 33:7 Rev 7:5
  • Judah will be praised by his brothers.
    • The word “praised” here is a word that is only used for praise and worship offered to God. (1Chr 5:2)
    • It was from this tribe that Jesus Christ came as Messiah, the Prince to be worshipped (Dan 9:24).
  • He will possess his enemies.
    • The dominion of the tribe of Judah began in the reign of king David who was from this tribe.
    • He conquered many of Israel’s enemies. (Edomites and Philistines)
  • Descendants will worship him.
    • As the Messiah, generations of people have worshipped Jesus Christ since the time of Adam and Eve.
    • Judah and Joseph would father the most powerful tribes, Judah in the south and Ephraim in the north. The two would compete for leadership after the death of Solomon.
  • Lion’s whelp gone up = from the days of Joshua to King Saul. The tribe will be like a young lion learning to become a leader.
  • Crouched as a lion = in the days of King David the tribe will be a powerful leader to be respected.
  • A resting old lion = from the days of Solomon and after we have the picture of a lion in 3 stages of life that represents the posture of the tribe of Judah in its growth and influence.
  • Christ is called the lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5).
  • The scepter will not depart from this tribe.
    • “scepter” = tribal staff or rod of authority.
    • The tribe of Judah never lost this authority even during the Babylonian captivity (Ezr 1:5,8). However, the Jewish Talmud says it was lost in 7 or 8 AD when a Roman procurator Caponius was given judicial authority. Jesus Christ had been born. Shiloh had come!
  • Important persons from this tribe: King David, David’s son, Solomon, and David’s descendant, Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings (Rev 17:14).
  • This tribe will be the lawgiver until the Messiah (Shiloh) comes.
    • Shiloh = Eze 21:27
      • The first judge was Othniel from this tribe (Jud 3:9-10 Num 13:6)
      • This is a fascinating prophecy, which tells us when Jesus Christ would come the first time.
      • This phrase means that the tribe of Judah would retain its identity and authoritative position until the Messiah came.
        • Joh 18:31-32 tells us when they lost their lawgiver authority.
        • They gave away their authority to the Romans at the crucifixion of Christ.
    • He shall gather his people. This refers to the second coming of Christ when He will gather all the Jews back into the land during the millennium. (Isa 43:5-12)
    • His clothes are washed in the blood of grapes. His eyes red with wine, his teeth white with milk.
      • The blood of grapes and the harvesting of grapes are common phrases in the Bible referring to the final judgment when Jesus Christ will be both King and Judge. (Rev 19:13 Isa 63:1-3)
      • The tribe of Judah inherited the vine-growing land in the south (2Chr 26:9-10) and includes the city of Jerusalem. (Jos 15:1-63)
  • Important people from this tribe: Othniel, Achan, David, Solomon, Jesus Christ.
• Read Gen 49:13-27
  • Jacob does not follow the birth order in blessing the remainder of his sons. Why?
  • Possibly because the blessing of Judah had to do with the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The next prophecy given is to Zebulun, the tenth son, whose land had to do with the ministry of Jesus for 3 1/2 years.
• Zebulun (10) Gen 49:13 Deu 33:18-19 Rev 7:8
  • This tribe shall dwell at the haven of the sea.
    • They were to be a commercial people dependent on the sea. This is especially interesting since their land was not on the coast but land locked by Asher and Manasseh. Major trade routes went through Zebulun.
    • His border shall be unto Zidion (Phoenicia). This is a reference to the fact that they would take part in Phoenician commerce and trade and their land would be Galilee. (Jos 19:10-11)
    • He shall be a haven
      • Mary and Joseph took Jesus there to raise him after having fled to Egypt for safety.
      • Galilee was a haven for them.
  • Rejoice in thy going out. (Deu 33:18) The land that Zebulun inherited was Galilee where Jesus ministered openly and without heavy opposition.
  • They shall call thy people to the mountain and offer sacrifices.(Deu 33:19)
    • All the disciples that Jesus chose except for Judas came from this area, many of them fishermen.
    • They sacrificed their lives to call people to Mt. Zion, the kingdom of God, through Jesus Christ.
  • Important people from this tribe: None
• Issachar (9) Gen 49:14-15 Deu 33:18-19 Rev 7:7
  • He would be strong and crouch between two burdens
    • Issachar’s land would be between Mt. Tabor and Mt. Gilboa. (Jos 19:17-23.)
    • In the numbering of the tribes in Num 26:25, this tribe ranks third after Judah and Dan with 64,300 men. However, in 1Chr 7:5 they had grown to 87,000.
  • The reference to an ass or donkey is not derogatory for the Jews considered him an honorable animal, useful as a beast of burden. The tribe would become a servant unto forced labor.
    • They became servants to the Canaanites after years of no work and a life of ease. (Jdg 1:27)
    • They preferred to pay tribute rather than fight.
  • Important people from this tribe: Deborah
• Dan (5) Gen 49:16-17 Deu 33:22
  • He shall judge his people.
    • Samson was from this tribe and became a judge. (Jos 19:41 Jdg 13:2)
    • It is thought by many that the Antichrist will be from this tribe.
  • He shall be a serpent by the way = treachery and cruelty
    • Of the 4 sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, Dan was the oldest, and the possible ring leader in trouble. (Gen 37:2)
    • Gen 46 names Jacob’s sons and their children except for Dan. His sons are called by the tribal name, Hushim. (Gen 46:23). The same is done in Num 26:43 (Shuham). Num 10:25, Jos 19:47-49, and 1Chr 27:16-22. This tribe is always mentioned last.
  • He will bite the horses’ heels so that the rider falls backward.
    • This was the first tribe to fall into idolatry and remained in idolatry for many years even after other tribes had repented. (Jdg 18:30 1Kin 12:28,29 2Kin 10:29)
    • It is generally thought that Judas who betrayed Jesus was from this tribe which fulfills the prophecy of Gen 3:15 where Satan will bruise the heel of the Messiah.
  • “I have waited for they salvation, O Lord” = The rest of the fulfillment of Gen 3:15, where the Messiah bruises the head of Satan, waited for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • He is lion’s whelp who shall leap from Bashan. (Deu 33:22)
    • This tribe attacked Laish leaping from Bashan and the slopes of Mt. Hermon like a serpent. (Jdg. 18:30)
    • Also their land was in 2 parts because of overcrowding. (Jdg 18 Jos 19:40-48)
  • Important people from this tribe: Samson, Judas, the Antichrist
• Gad (7) Gen 49:19 Deu 33:20-21 Rev 7:5
  • A troop shall overcome him.
  • Troop = a marauding, plundering army.
    • They had constant warfare from the ammonites.
    • They were the first tribe to be carried into captivity by the assyrians. (1chr 5:26)
  • He shall overcome at the last. In the end time, he shall overcome. (2Kin 15:29 Jer 49:1-2 Zep 2:8-9)
  • Blessed be he that enlarges Gad. (Deu 33:20-21)
    • This tribe was in constant warfare leading an unsettled existence because they lived close to the Ammonites and Midianites.
    • They expanded the land given them to include the suburbs of Sharon. (Jos 13:24-28 1Chr 5:16)
  • He dwells as a lion and tears the arm with the crown of the head. (Deu 33:20-21)
    • He provided the first part for himself because he was seated as a lawgiver. (Deu 33:20-21)
    • They chose land east of the Jordan according to God’s permissive will before the land was divided among the other tribes. (Num 34:14-15 Jos 13:24-28 Deu 3:12-15)
  • Important people from this tribe: None
• Asher (8) Gen 49:20 Deu 33:24 Rev 7:6
  • His bread shall be fat. This tribe had a prosperous land of plenty usually called by its Greek name, Phoenicia. It was a half Gentile area. (Jos 19:24-31)
    • It included the prosperous cities of Tyre and Sidon.
    • During famine in Elijah’s day, God sent the prophet to this area for food. (1Kin 17:9)
  • He shall yield royal dainties
    • King David relied upon trees, carpenters, and masons from this area to build his house. (2Sam 5:11)
    • Later Solomon obtained trees, architects, masons, etc. From this area to build the temple. (1Kin 5:1-10)
  • Blessed with children. (Deu 33:24)
  • Acceptable to his brothers. (Deu 33:24)
  • Dip his foot in oil. (Deu 33:24) This area is famous for olive production from which they made olive oil by trampling olives with their feet.
  • Important people from this tribe: Anna (Luk 2)
• Naphtali (6) Gen 49:21 Deu 33:23 Rev 7:6
  • A hind let loose.
    • The picture is a deer caught and hemmed in by hunters but then breaks free.
    • Barak was at first timid and afraid to respond to God’s call, but then with a deer-like swiftness he attacked the forces of Sisera. (Jdg 4:6,14). He was set free from the yoke of the Canaanites. (Jdg 5:15-18)
  • He gives good words: The words of praise by Deborah and Barak. (Jdg 5)
  • Full with the blessing of the Lord. (Deu 33:23)
    • This is the area of Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin where Jesus did much of his ministry to the poor and sick.
    • Important people from this tribe: Barak (Jdg 4-5)
• Joseph (11) Gen 49:22-26 Deu 33:13-17 Rev 7:8
  • He is a fruitful bough by a well.
    • This refers to his favored position in his father’s house as a boy.
    • It also refers to his 2 sons one of which was named fruitful (Ephraim) who inherited the double portion (birthright).(Jos 16:1-4)
  • His branches run over a wall.
    • This refers to his having left home, sold into Egypt.
    • Archers shot at him and hated him. This refers to the past opposition by his brothers.
  • God made him strong.
    • His strength came from Jesus Christ, the shepherd, the stone of Israel. (Joh 10:11 1Cor 10:4)
    • This refers to how God preserved and prospered him in Egypt despite starting out in slavery.
  • Abundant blessings of God upon him.
    • Everywhere Joseph went, God blessed him.
    • In the millennium, the tribe of Joseph will get a double portion. (Eze 47:13)
  • His horns shall be like the unicorn that shall push his people together. (Deu 33:17) Joseph brought his people together in Egypt.
  • Important people from this tribe: Joshua, Gideon, Jephthah
• Benjamin (12) Gen 49:27 Deu 33:12 Rev 7:8
  • He shall devour like a wolf. This tribe was the most ferocious and war-like tribe. (Jdg 19:16 2Sam 2:15,16 1Chr 8:40; 12:2 2Chr 17:17)
  • He will protect the people of God (Deu 33:12) Saul (Paul) was from this tribe who, in the beginning, fiercely attacked the Christian church and then later defended it to the death. (Rom 11:1)
  • He will be covered by the Lord as he dwells between the Lord’s shoulders. (Deu 33:12)
  • Important people from this tribe: Ehud (Jdg 3), Saul, Esther, Mordecai, and the Apostle Paul

Homework

Genesis 50

• Application of Gen 49
  • As we have seen with Jacob’s sons, each one was important. Each one was an individual for which God had a special plan.
  • God has a special plan for your life because you are special to him.
    • Read Eph 1:17-19
    • What specific encouragement do these verses give you:
      • In discovering God’s plan for your life?
      • In fulfilling God’s plan for your life?
• Preparation for Gen 50
  • Read Gen 49:28-33 Gen 50:1-14 The end of Jacob’s life.
  • Read Gen 50:15-26 The end of Soseph’s life.
    • What do you learn about forgiveness from these verses?
  • Review:
    • From our long study of the book of Genesis consider:
      • Which part was the most meaningful to you?
      • Which part did you find the most interesting?
      • Which part spoke most directly to your personal life?
      • Which character in Genesis most parallels your own life? Why?
• Memory verse: Philippians 1:6