Genesis 49

  • Here we see Jacob follows the tradition of passing on the blessings and blesses his children. Now that we (Christians) have been grafted into Abraham's family (Romans 11), because of what Jesus did on the cross, what is our blessings?

Ephesians 1:3-7:- "3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. "

Romans 8:17:- “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Good read on eternal, imperishable blessings / inheritance of a Christian:- https://www.gotquestions.org/inheritance-in-Christ.html

Finally we Christians are given God as Holy Spirit in us (1 Corinthians 3:16).

That is these blessings that Jacob's sons received from Jacob seem nothing compared to what we receive when we become Christian!


  • Here, what examples we see of how one can squander great blessings because of sin?

Reuben is the firstborn of Jacob. This was a great privilege. Because of his sin (Genesis 35:22, Genesis 49:4) committed decades ago. His rights as firstborn were taken away from him distributed among Judah (Genesis 49:10) and Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:12).


Note that neither, Reuben, Simeon or Levi lost the right / privilege of being sons of Jacob / Abraham, despite their great sins. Likewise, we as Christians do not loose our title / privilege as children of God / Abraham because of our sins.


  • Here, what examples we see of how pursuit of righteousness can lead to great blessings?

Joseph is obviously blessed a lot because of his righteous living so far.


  • Here, what examples we see that despite past sins, how repentance & grace can help in redemption from negative consequences of sins?

We see Reuben loose his rights as firstborn to Judah and Joseph because of sin. Now, what about Judah's sins? Judah married a Canaanite, even though Abraham & Isaac forbid doing so (Genesis 24:3, Genesis 28:1) . He seeked prostitution (Genesis 38:16). He mistreated Tamar (Genesis 38). His apparent bad parenting may have led to the death of his two children (Genesis 38). He and his brothers sold Joseph as a slave. Despite his sins, it is also believed Judah repented substantially and became worthy of receiving Jacob's blessings in the place Reuben. For instance, Judah was willing to become a slave in order to save Benjamin (Genesis 44:33) - quite a contrast to the past time when he was willing to sell his brother Joseph as a slave.

Levi was also cursed by Jacob for his past sins (Genesis 49:7). Down the line, the tribe of Levites was chosen for the very privileged and holy task of priesthood in the House of Israel (Numbers 3:5-13). Hence the tribe of Levi, were very fortunate to experience God's grace despite Jacob's curse on them because of sins of Levi.

  • We often see in Scriptures that repentance and grace can negate the damaging consequences of sin. So then, why do we need to stop sinning? (Read Romans 6)

Romans 5:20-6: "where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ... "


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