Read; Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27
Jacob adopted Joseph’s two sons as his own. Jacob was old and about to die so Joseph brought his two sons for him to bless. Joseph strategically placed his sons where the oldest son would be at Jacob’s right hand and his youngest at his left. Jacob strategically crossed his hands to place his right hand on the head of Ephraim instead of Manasseh’s. When Joseph tried to correct his father, Jacob explained that the elder would serve the younger. Ephraim would become a group of nations.
Then, Jacob gave Joseph one more portion of land than his brothers had. Joseph’s name means “he will add”.
Jacob called all his sons in to bless or curse them. Rueben was cursed to never excel because he went in to his concubines. Simeon and Levi were cursed because of the lives they took when their sister, Tamar was raped. Judah was blessed to bring forth rulers. All the nations would bow to him.
Zebulun would be a haven for ships and enlarge its territory. Issachar’s people would be active, patient, given to agricultural jobs. They ended up living in southern Galilee which was considered good land. They settled with the Canaanites where, for the sake of quiet, they became their servant.
From Dan would come judges who would be subtle and cunning.
Asher’s people would be blessed and prosper with rich land, corn and oil. Naphtali would be located in a fertile and peaceable territory. He would spread out like a deer’s branching antlers.
Joseph received the greatest and longest blessing. Joseph stood for Jesus. Jacob traced Joseph’s life of suffering, but the hand of the Lord was upon him which caused him to prosper.
Jacob’s word to Benjamin described all of the tribe’s future to a tee. Benjamin was almost eliminated because it became so barbaric and sinful. But, God had a plan for Benjamin and in the end he would divide the plunder.
Jacob gave instructions that he wanted to be buried in the same cave that Abraham, Sarah, Rebekah and Leah were buried. He understood that where you were buried was important. He wanted to spend his time in Sheol with his family until Jesus came to resurrect them.
In Matthew the people had been with him for three days without provision. Jesus fed the 5,000 with seven loaves and a few small fish. He picked up seven baskets of left-overs. The disciples didn’t get the significance of this miracle but hopefully they would when he left.
Jesus knew that he would not always be with them and they would have to carry on his ministry when he was gone. When he died, they would be without their teacher. Jesus would rise on the third day and then it would be their job to take the little faith and knowledge that they had and feed the multitude of people. He was trying to show them that what they had would be enough and more.
Lord, help us to realize that we have the same Holy Spirit that Jesus had in him. If we just let you live through us, life is easy and fulfilling. When we don’t, we are miserable and life is impossible. We choose, today to let you live through us a
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