Sunday 8 September 2013

Jacob's famous last words

Genesis Chapter 49

Jacob is dying, for real this time, and decides to give his honest opinion of his 12 sons – no holes barred it seems – they get the following –

Reuben once firstborn in position – lost his place when he bedded Jacob’s concubines in Genesis 35.
Simeon and Levi  - are seriously violent – they will be scattered within israel. Israel wants no part in their schemes, as they commit murder and cripple animals when they get angry (see Genesis 34)
Judah seems to be a ok guy in Jacob’s eyes and is given the sceptre, dark eyes and white teeth.
Zebulun will live by the sea
Issachar is a donkey who is not satisfied and will be made to work
Dan is a lawyer, and a snake in the grass that unseats horsemen perhaps there is a connection? 
Israel at this stage says he trusts in God for salvation (presumably from his sons?)
Gad will be attacked but fight back
Asher will be a chef
Naphtali actually turns out to be Bambi apparently!
Joseph is an ok bloke as well – fruitful, blessed and get Jacob’s blessing
Benjamin is a wolf.


Jacob dies at the end and makes his sons promise to bury him in the family tomb in Canaan where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah are buried.  

I like that Israel says all this stuff, tells his children to bury him in the family tomb, he then puts his feet up and "joins his ancestors in death"

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