Jan 21

It is indeed hard to understand why Jacob blessed his sons in the manner he did. So of course, that got me researching. I found a variety of opinions, but I'll share some that really rang true to me. Of course, the true reasons only Jacob and God know, but I really enjoyed these thoughts.

First Jacob blessed Manasseh and Ephriam. (Remember that Jacob is fully aware of what getting blessed first means-having stole the blessing from his brother!!) Jacob adopts the boys into his own family, gives them his name, and gives them full rights as sons and heirs (even though they are 1/2 Egyptian). This is done because of the beloved son Joseph. It is a beautiful picture of how we are adopted as sons and given positions as full heirs through God's beloved son Jesus.


Gen 48: 15-16 Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
the Angel who has delivered me from all harm --may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth."

Next Jacob blesses the rest of his sons. Rueben as the oldest, has lost his birthright blessing because of sleeping with Bilhah, his fathers concubine (Gen 49:4, 1 Chr 5:1-2). Simeon and Levi were passed over because of their violence against the inhabitants of Shechem. So the postion linked with the birthright of the firstborn goes to Judah.

Judah's blessing tells that his brothers will bow down to him and praise him and that the sceptor will not depart from him until he to whom it belongs comes (also translated "Shiloh" or the one who gives peace/rest). Of course, if you have studied much bible history, you know that Jesus, the Messiah, eventually comes from Judah's line. He is often called the "Lion of Judah" and "Prince of Peace". Judah was refered to as a 'crouching lion' which in Egypt was symbolic of the right to rulership.

One author pointed out that the order of the blessings (which did not excactly follow the birth order) outlined the history of the world, of Israel and of the church. Starting off natural, sinful and carnal (the first three sons), then at peace (during Solomon's reign for Israel, and after accepting Christ for Christians), then the tendancy to roam away but eventually come back. Interesting!