49:1-28. Jacob's Blessing Of All His Sons.
1,2. Collectively.
3-27. Separately. The order of the names.
28. Collectively.
1701 B.C.
Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, "Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
This blessing - v.28 - is therefore direct prophecy. First occ. of 14: Gen.49:1, Num.24:14, Deut.4:30; 31:29, Isa.2:2, Jer.23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:38, Ezek.38:16, Dan.2:28; 10:14, Hos.3:5, Mic.4:1. In 10 of these rendered "later days". A study of these will show that prophecy - v.1 - and "blessing" - v.28 - extends to, and embraces the days of Messiah, and His first and second Advents. Jacob is now going to tell each of his sons what their generations of nations will be like, and this should help us to to identify them as nations of the world today.
In Zechariah we have about the best overlay of the events that will come to pass just prior to Jesus Christ's coming to this earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It gives even the geographic spot that Jesus will come to earth, and what will happen at the time they touch earth. So don't let it be a mystery what will "befall" you in these last days in these last days, because God has given us great detail of the events of these last days.
As we read and identify each of God's prophecies come true in these "last days", we can have the confidence in our faith in God, that He does keep His word. And in that faith, we are assured that God's Word will come to pass exactly as it is written. In the end it will work our for God's children, for as the deceptions come to pass of the Antichrist, it will be no surprise for God elect, for they are sealed in their minds, and looking forward for each of the prophecies to come to pass.
2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
Notice that "ye sons of Jacob" is referring to the natural seed, while Israel is used for the spiritual Jacob and his spiritual seed. So these prophecies for the sons of Jacob will have both as physical and a spiritual prophecy for each of his sons. Israel is the name that God Himself gave to Jacob when Jacob wrestled with him, and it means "the prince that prevailed with God", in the Hebrew tongue.
3-7. The Order Of The Names.
3-15. Leah's 6 sons. Wife's offspring.
16-18. Bilhah's son (Dan).
19,20. Zilphah's 2 sons.
21. Bilhah's son (Naphtali).
22-27. Rachel's 2 sons. Wife's offspring.
3 Reuben , thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Though Reuben committed that evil act against his mother, outside of that event, it was Reuben that saved Joseph when the rest of his brothers were going to kill him. Then during the sale of Joseph into bondage in Egypt, Reuben was not present when that act was committed, and Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites.
4 Unstable as water,
The word "unstable" = to flow down, and requires the Fig. to be filled thus: Flowing down as water passes away, so you shall not excel. What thus would pass away is set forth in v.3, and so it came to pass 1 Chron.5:1.
thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
The problem with Reuben was that he had difficulty in making a decision, and most of all, Reuben was very undependable. This condemnation on Reuben by Jacob came because of his sleeping with Bilhah, one of Jacob's wives. It was because of this act that Jacob withheld the firstborn blessing from him.
5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
It appears that Jacob is quite hard on Simeon and Levi, and God also thought so, for Levi will carry one of the greatest blessings of all, in that God will establish the Levitical priesthood through the offspring of Levi. Poor Jacob never could see why Simeon and Levi would slaughter the town of Shechem, because they raped their sister, Dinah. Though Jacob was displeased with them, God evidently was not, for He selected one of them to represent Him personally on earth.
6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
This curse that Jacob puts on them, God soon after removes. What did they do? They killed the rapist of their sister, and tore down a city, and all because of the attack on their sister. Sin is sin, and the punishment for that sin is the same, whether under the "code of Khammurabe", the law that existed prior to Sinai and discussed in Genesis twenty three. Though Abraham respected that law and followed it, years later Jacob grew soft towards this code. However it was the code of the day.
Though Jacob was soft on the matter, God is not; for God treats rape the same as murder, and in God's laws the punishment for doing the two acts are the same. The violator are to be killed, and when the town protected and condoned the act, the punishment then included them. They condoned the act when they planed to use it to steal all of the wealth of Jacob. When the punishment is given, it is to be given publicly, so that these sins will not happen again.
As the result of Simeon and Levi actions, the rest of the heathen kept their distance for the Israelites, for fear of them. The heathen saw the results of their actions, and kept their distance.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them
Fulfilled, Josh.19:1, 1 Chron.4:39-43, Lev.25:32-34. Levi's turned to blessing later, Ex.32:26-29, Deut.10:8,9.
in Jacob,
First occ. as used of the whole Nation.
and scatter them in Israel.
See 34:7. Cp. 47:27. Both Simeon and Levi are given established position within the tribes, and Israelite nations. Levi became the sword bearer of His truth, the person with the backbone to stand on the side of God's laws. It did not matter that Jacob cursed them for their anger, for we see that in the end God blessed them for it.
8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
= To Christ through Judah. Cp. 2 Sam.5:1-8 and Ps.72:11, Phil.2:10.
9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
The actions of Judah were that of a quick temper, fast reaction, and the first to strike out. As Judah became older, he became more stable, and when he went in before Joseph, whom he did not know at the time was Joseph, he assumed full responsibility in standing his ground and protecting Benjamin. When Judah ages, and grows into a tribal nation, he will become as a old lion, who will stand his ground, and not be easily moved. Judah will become the seed of the royal line, and it will be from the seed [children] of Judah that Jesus Christ will come. Judah will be the king line of Israel.
10 The sceptre
= ruler, see Num.24:17, Ps.45:6, Zech.10:11.
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver
First occ. Cp. Num.21:18, Deut.33:21, Ps.60:7; 108:8, Isa.33:22.
from between his feet,
= from his thighs, i.e. "his seed".
until Shiloh come;
= Peace, or rest = Christ, the mystery of Melchazedeck. Note the 6 Pentateuch titles: "Seed" - 3:5, "Shiloh" - 49:10, "Sceptre" - 49:10 = Ruler, "Shepherd" and "Stone" - 49:24, "Star" - Num.24:17.
and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine;
So plentiful in Judah, that people were without care in such matters, wanting nothing.
he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
These are all idioms for plenty.
12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
"Red with wine", simply means that he will have plenty, while "teeth white with milk", is in reference to his flock will always be blessed.
13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
Zidon = fishery. Zebulun is noted for their huge ports. In the earily days in the old Israel this was true, however in these latter days Zebulun is still an country of sea port, and commercial shipping. There are many markings and writings in Holland where these people claim Zebulun to be their Patriarch.
14 Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
= foals. He doesn't mind work.
15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
He preferred to pay tribute to Canaanites rather than engage in the struggle to expel them. He would rather pay than fight, i.e. try to buy friends. That my friends in not real friendship!
16 Dan shall judge his people,
Cp. 30:6. Fulfilled in Judg.15:20.
as one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way
Beguiling to idolatry. The first tribe to do so. See Judg.18:30. Hence omitted in Rev.7:4, cp. Deut.29:18-21, Lev.24:10-16, 1 Kings 12:30, 2 Kings 10:29.
an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
This is what Dan did during the time of the Judges, and Dan was the tribe to cause the rest of the "House of Israel", not the Jews [House of Judah] to go into golden calf worship, following the death of King Solomon.
The sons of Dan have been involved in idol worship, since the time of the judges. Dan is very easily side tracked with heathen forms of worship. Dan is an "adder in the Path", which is like a serpent the strikes when one is not expecting it. When Dan strikes at the horse, or powers that be, those in control and ruling are left surprised and confused.
18 {I have waited for thy salvation,
put for Him Who brings deliverance from all the works of the old serpent-Isa.25:8,9. Matt.24:13.
O LORD.}
"Your Salvation"
"I have waited for Your salvation, O Lord."
These are the words repeated 3 times (and in 3 different ways) by every pious Jew, morning and evening. In the note in the above verse it is pointed out that by the Fig. Metonomy (of effect), "salvation" is put for Him Who brings it. The meaning is beautifully put, thus, in the Jerusalem Targum:-
"Not to the salvation wrought by Gideon, the son of Joash, does my soul look, for it is temporal. Not to the salvation wrought by Samson, the son of Manoah, is my longing directed, for it is transient: but to the salvation, the completion of Which You have promised, by your everlasting Word, to bring Your People the descendants of Israel.
To Your Salvation, O Lord, to the salvation of Messiah the son of David, Who will one day redeem Israel and bring her back from the dispersion, to that salvation my soul looks forward; for Your salvation is an everlasting salvation."
19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him:
= shall troop [or press] upon him, but he shall press upon their heel.
but he shall overcome at the last.
Our people always have the victory.
20 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
Very prosperous.
21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
The "hind let loose" is a "deer on the run". He is one that is quick on his feet, not only with the movements, but also in thinking and speaking fast. Goodly words = song of Deborah - Judg.5:18. God will always provide a leader.
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
= branches it has each has over-climbed a wall. From nourishment from God. Remember that Joseph is Jacob's favorite son. Joseph is the one that saved all of Egypt, and Jacob's household, and he took control over the food supply, and stored it up for the seven year famine that followed. Jacob is comparing Joseph to a fruitful bough that is planted by a well of water, and as those roots go deep and drink up the water, that bough's branches spread out all over the place. Those branches take control over everything.
23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
People that are blessed are hated. This is addressed to the time of the end, and Amos addresses this prophecy in Amos 6:6; "That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."
Those Kenites, and the nations that are around Joseph, [Manasseh and Ephraim] which is the American and British peoples, will move to dismantle the wealth of Joseph, and though they are continually on the receiving end from Joseph, they despise and hate Joseph in their jealousy. Through the four hidden dynasties, economics (commerce) [banking industry and trade], Education, Religion, and Politics their one world system now forming is preparing the way for complete enslavement.
Though the move is on to entrap the English and Americans, we still control the gates of our enemies, and God had promised we would in the Covenants with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Those promises were passed on, as we saw in Genesis 48, to the two sons of Joseph of which Ephraim was to carry the name Israel.
As long as the United States and the British peoples are blessed, and live according to God's standards, who cares what the heathen nations think, or hate toward us.
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; {from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:}
Cp. the "stone of Scone" - Jacob's pillar. The strength of the United States and England lies in its people, and their ability to change and stay ahead of the times [the bow]. As empires have moved against us in many ways, militarily, economically, politically and all other ways, our two nations have stood together and firm. Many people give different reason for this strength, whoever we are a Christian nation. We declare on our seal, our coins, our laws, and the strength of our nation is in the spiritual strength of our people. Though a strong minority is striving to separate God from our people and institutions, it is Almighty God that has built both the British and American nations into the most powerful force in the world ever.
Jesus Christ is the Stone of our faith, the Rock of our foundation, and the Shepherd of the flock in all the Christian World. Moses addresses this in the "Song of Moses";
Deuteronomy 32:3, 4; "Because I will publish the name of the Lord: Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: For all His ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he."
"His bow abode in strength", tells us that the military might of our nations abide in God, and we know the high priority that the people of the Armed forces place in having God named as part of their strength. The prayer before battle, and the worship promoted by the commanding officers of their men. It isn't Joseph that pulls the bow, but it is Almighty God with his hand pulling the bow.
25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
God has blessed America with every blessing mankind could possible have. We have an abundance of food, the armed forces that is second to none, rich in natural resources, and the people who believe in the ways of the Almighty Father. The blessings of the "breasts and of the womb" are in the children of our nations, and the future that they hold.
26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they (= Ephraim and Manasseh) shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
It was Joseph that was separated from his brethren when he was sold by his brethren to the Ishmaelites, and taken to Egypt. The blessings of "my progenitors", are the promised blessings made by God to Abraham, and passed on through Isaac to Jacob. Notice here that it is to Joseph that these Blessings are passed on to, and not Judah [the Jews] as most misled Christians of today are taught to believe by their Kenite interpreters. However Judah has her own set of promised commitments from God; that of the scepter, and as the law giver.
God also arranged that those offspring of Jacob would also be blessed in this generation, and this is quite obvious as we look around us today.
27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf:
Cp. the Benjamites, Judg.3:15, 1Sam.11:6-11; 14:13-48, Acts 7:58; 8:1; 9:13,14,21; 22:4-8; 1 Tim.1:13 and cp. Rom.11:1.
in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
Both Saul and Paul were from the tribe of Benjamin, and we see that when Benjamin set out to do something, it was with full effort and energy.; striving to do what they set out to do with zeal. They don't stop to see the results until the day is done, and the task is finished.
When Paul set out to kill Christians, it took his full effort, and when God struck him down on the road, Paul's efforts didn't diminish, only the task that he was to do. Instead of killing Christians, he was then changed to convert others to Christ.)
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
All positive. Every one of those blessings are in affect to this day.
29-32. Jacob's Charges.
29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.
Still guarded to this day.
31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
The 5 previously buried their form an acrostic of the 6th. {I}saac, {S}arah, {R}ebekah, {A}braham, {L}eah = ISRAEL-see Heb.11:13. Israel in Hebron.
32 The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.
33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost,
To God, the spirit going to God Who gave it-Ecc.12:7, Num.16:22; 27:16.
and was gathered unto his people.
Refers to body, as the previous gathering refers to his feet. See v.29. He was 147.