Jacob gives his final blessings to his children, telling them what will come of them. His words are prophecy. Reuben, the firstborn, will not have preeminence. Again, the forsaken firstborn motif presents. This motif typifies the incarnation of Christ. Adam, the firstborn man and federal head of creation was unable to be righteous and bring blessing to the earth through his ruling authority. Christ, the second Adam and firstborn among creation, is righteous and succeeds at bringing peace and justice to the earth with the salvation of humankind. Though the firstborn deserves the blessing from a patriarchal standpoint, the firstborn is forsaken from a gospel-typological standpoint. At this juncture, I think Jacob knows this and provides another reason that he is not giving Reuben the blessing of the firstborn.

Simeon and Levi are also sentenced to a negative future. They are violent men and will therefore be dispersed in Israel. This prophecy effects more than merely the sons of Jacob, but also their descendants—the tribes of Israel. It is interesting to know, here, that the Levites are assigned their duties as priests of Israel and not given a land inheritance because Levi is a violent man.

Judah will rule over all the tribes of Israel and the scepter shall never depart from his descendants. Eventually, Christ will be incarnate in the tribe of Judah and reign forever, fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy.

Zebulun will be a tribe located at the sea and run the ports of Israel.

Issachar will be like a slave.

Dan will be a thorn in the side, a snake at the heels, of all Israel.

Gad will be raided by raiders.

Asher will be rich.

Naphtali will talk a lot.

Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh included) is distinguished among his brothers.

Benjamin will be a ravenous wolf in Israel. The Benjamites will be such throughout Israel’s history.

Jacob instructs his sons to bury him on the family land in Canaan with those who have already passed. Then, Jacob dies.

I find it interesting that none of the new patriarchs (tribal heads), here, have a choice in what will become of them. Jacob speaks the blessing appropriate to each tribe, and it comes to pass as we read the rest of the Old Testament. His words, and the direction of the narrative, deal more with gospel motif than reactions against human action. In the Gospels, the Lion of Judah will be born, and every tribe will come under His blessing—having been fully rid of sin.

---

Please consider giving financially to help us continue to produce and distribute these expository resources in every language–fighting for the cause of expository preaching and practice in the local church.