Ge 49

CHAPTER 49: JACOB BLESSES HIS SONS

In this chapter Jacob called his sons to his deathbed and prophesied over each one.
v.4 Reuben lost the good opinion of his father when he took Jacob's concubine.
v.5-7 Simeon and Levi always seemed to work together. They had violent, ungoverned tempers.
v.8,9 The lion became the symbol of the tribe of Judah.
v.10 After God rejected Saul, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, as King over Israel, He placed David, who was from the tribe of Judah, on the throne. The throne of Israel was to belong to Judah until the Messiah (Shiloh) came.
v.13 Zebulon's tribe was to dwell by the sea along the northern coast of Israel.
v.16 Dan's tribe produced the judges.
v.19 Gad's tribe produced the troops, the soldiers.
v.20 Asher was the baker for the tribes.
v.22 Joseph could enjoy the fruit of his godly life and others were blessed by his life too, as passersby enjoy fruit that hangs over the wall. God wants our lives to be fruitful and to overflow with the blessings He bestows on us, so that we share His goodness with others.
v.23 Most of the arrows were shot by Joseph's brothers. There were various trials he had to endure: a) Arrows of doubt and scorn sent when he tried to share his dreams (Genesis 37:8) b) Arrows of hatred because the ten older brothers knew he was their father's favorite (Genesis 37:4) c) Arrows of treachery when his brothers decided to kill him (Genesis 37:28) d) Arrows of temptation as Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him (Genesis 39:7) e) Arrows of false accusations as she accused him of trying to attack her (Genesis 39:13-18) f) Arrows of forgetfulness when the butler forgot Joseph for two years. (Genesis 40:23)
v.24 It takes greater strength to hold back from taking revenge when it is in our power to do it. Though the arrows were shot at him, Joseph did not shoot back. The Father had His arms around Joseph's arms, holding the bow for him and giving him His strength to draw upon.
v.29-32 Jacob asked his sons to bury him with his fathers back in the promised land.