Last Days, Last Blessings

It has been quite a journey studying the characteristics of Jacob (Israel) and his sons, especially his son Joseph! So many personality comparisons to ourselves, and so many promises and dreams fulfilled. But, now Israel's life is finally complete. He is about to die & speaks these words:

"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. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father."
Genesis 49:1‭-‬2.

Israel gathered all his sons together at once to speak what God had put on his heart for the last days. This was quite different than the way Isaac blessed Esau and Jacob (Israel) years before. Instead of calling each son in separately, all the sons were together, and each heard Israel speak about each brother, whether the news was good or bad...

Although Reuben was Israel's "might" and the beginning of Israel's "strength" being the firstborn (Genesis 49:3), Israel states: "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch." Genesis 49:4.

For Simeon and Levi, he states: "Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 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. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel." Genesis 49:5‭-‬7.

So far, not so good. There were many unresolved sins, negative behaviors, and bad patterns in the lives of some of Israel's sons. How terrible would it be to hear such words from a father who was about to die? They would hear no other positive blessings or affirmations from that point forward; however, while some sons were being judged for their unrighteousness, some were being judged for righteousness:

"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." Genesis 49:8. What a surprise! Judah, the one who was the main enemy of Joseph years ago. Judah, the one who was responsible for the beginning of Joseph's troubles...he was finally honored and blessed by his father. This was probably because he had become the most lowly and humble servant when he volunteered his life for Benjamin's. Just like Joseph received in his vision years before, Judah now received a blessing of leadership in that his father's children shall bow down before him.

And speaking of "bow," Joseph's blessing describes the fact that he will be a "fruitful bough" and "his bow abode in strength" against his enemies (Genesis 49:22-24). And Israel goes on to bless Joseph in an even more abundant way: "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:" Genesis 49:25.

Joseph would be a fruitful leader. A strong force against his enemies. Why? Because God would be on his side!

All the brothers received some sort of last words, whether blessings or curses, in the last days of their father. What about our last days? I know that's not a place our minds want to go most of the time, but it's worth giving through to. The brothers who received a negative report probably didn't think their sins would matter much in the end. But they did. Of course, none of us are perfect, but we can't leave our sins unresolved. When we stand before God at the judgment seat, this is what we want to hear:

"...Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21.

All the brethren did eventually bow before Joseph as servants, especially after their father died. They thought Joseph might have revenge on them. But Joseph again told them God placed him there for a reason; it didn't matter how much suffering he went through to get there. He just got where God wanted him to be. Again, Joseph proved himself tried & true.

Are we tried & true servants to God, like Joseph? Are there unresolved things in our lives we have to conquer? Let's be sure to do that! We want to hear God say well done!

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37.