Friday, March 25, 2011

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Friday 25 March 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Jacob's Last Words to His Sons"
Today's Scripture Reading: "Genesis 49:1-33
Today's Key Verses: Genesis 49:1 "And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days."

Yesterday we read how Jacob had blessed the two sons of Joseph.  We saw how Jacob placed his right hand on the head of the younger son of Joseph, and again saw that the older would serve the younger,  just as Jacob himself had been elevated over his older brother many years before.  Now we will read the what Jacob says will "befall " his sons in the "last days".

First was Reuben the firstborn.  Jacob began with warm praise to Reuben, but then he ended it with a sharp reprimand because of his affair with his concubine Bilhad (genesis 35:22).  Reuben was trying to solidify his claims as the firstborn when he did this act, but he doomed his cause.

Simeon and Levi were spoken about together because of the actions that they took against Shechem and his people (Genesis 34).  Because there actions were excessive and an outrage against the sacred rite of circumcision,  Jacob described both of them as "instruments of cruelty" because of their anger was fierce and cruel, and was not righteous for God's honor.  They both would be scattered in Israel.

The praise for Judah was only surpassed by that to Joseph.  Judah rose to the leadership of the twelve sons as Jacob had passed over Reuben, Simeon and Levi.  His selfless actions to save his brother Benjamin, were that of a leader (Genesis 44:18-34).The "lion'  was an ancient royal symbol and the "scepter" is a staff or rod that is a symbol of royal authority.  Jacob here predicts that a royal line would arise from Judah's descendants which would be the coming Messiah.

Zebulam would be given precedence over his brother Issachar.  His blessings would be the coastlines.

Issachar was forewarned of a heavy enslavement, following a time of plenty.

Dan shall judge.  The name "Dan" is related to the word meaning "judge".  A viper by the path could mean that some of Dan's descendants would abandon their faith in the Lord, yet the godly can still expect "salvation" from the Lord.

Gad's descendants would endure hardships, but ultimate victory is promised them.

Ashner and Naphtali both received brief words but the words spoken by Jacob about their descendants were happy and hopeful.

Joesph's blessing was described as an eventual triumph.  Only the blessings given to Judah can match the praise given to Joseph.  The word "archers who shot at him", would mean Joseph's personal experience at the hands of his brothers, and then the Egyptians.  Joseph not only had great strength of Character, but he was protected by the "Mighty God of Jacob." 

The "Mighty hand of God" was the first of five titles that Jacob used to describe God as he blessed Joseph.  The second was when he called the Lord a "Great Shepherd".  God is the one Good Shepherd who truly cares for His flock.  Third Jacob praised God as "the Stone of Israel".  God in Jacob's life became for him "the Stone of Israel", the rock that is stable and trustworthy.
The fourth was that "God is the God of your father", and expressed his faith in the God of Abraham and Isaac who had blessed him.  Finally Jacob called God, "the Almighty".  With these five titles for God, Jacob prayed many and various blessings upon Joseph.

Benjamin is described of that of a wolf.  That in the morning he would devour the prey, and at night he would divide the spoil.  

The blessings are prophecies about each tribe.. Some of the blessings are obscure, but the blessings given to Judah and Joseph are clear prophecies form God about their future history.

Jacob tell his sons that he did not want to be buried in Egypt, but buried in Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah where Jacob's father, mother, grandfather and grandmother were buried.  

In the closing of this Chapter we read that after Jacob had finished commanding his sons on the place of his burial, he died and was "gathered to his people".

Today's Closing Question and Hymn: "What is the strongest impression you've made on others?"  In the middle of his prophecy to Dan, Jacob said, "I trust You for salvation, O Lord".  We as Christians can be strong if we trust in the Lord and not on our own strength and ability.  Those who are strong, attractive, or talented often find it easier to trust in themselves than in God, who have them their gifts.  Remember my friends to always thank God for what you are and have, so that your trust in God does not become misplaced. 

Today's Hymn: "Trust and Obey"

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there's no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

Heavenly Father, What a blessing it is to trust and obey you in everything that we do in our life's her on this earth.  We are so thankful that you do abide with us and help us with the strength from above.  May be always be mindful that we cannot do anything on our strength alone but with the strength and guidance that you provide for us when we TRUST and OBEY.
                                                                                                                              Amen

"God may delay, but He will surely act"

Today's Daily Bible Verse at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com is from Lamentations 3:22-24

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and always remember that when you have a spiritual defeat in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T",  God whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ,
Cindi                                                                                                           

 



       

No comments:

Post a Comment