Genesis 49 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 49

WHEN:

• Jacob’s family moved to Egypt in the 2nd year of the 7-year famine (approx. 1706 B.C.).  

• Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years (47:28), until his death in 1689 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Jacob (Israel) – The grandson of Abraham and the father of Joseph and his 11 brothers. God changed his name to Israel.

• 12 Sons of Jacob – Jacob’s children gathered around his bed before his death.

WHERE:

• Jacob died in Egypt, in the region of Goshen, where his family settled after relocating from Canaan.

OUTLINE:

• THE BLESSING AND PROPHECY OF JACOB (ISRAEL) (49:1-28):

  • Jacob gathered his sons to prophecy over them before his death.

  • Below is a summary of the prophecies given to each son and their future families. Some of the prophecies contain figurative language and metaphors.

  • Reuben – He was Jacob’s firstborn, but he would not be the greatest of his brothers because he slept with his father’s wife (35:22).

  • Levi and Simeon – They were angry and violent men (Gen 34). Jacob cursed their anger and told them their families would be scattered.

  • Judah – Judah’s brothers would praise him, and he would conquer his enemies. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

  • Zebulun – He would dwell by the sea and be a safe harbor for ships.

  • Issachar – His family would be like a strong donkey who served in forced labor.

  • Dan – His family would judge the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Dan would be like a viper in the road that bites at horse’s heels.

  • Gad – He would be raided but would raid at his enemies’ heels.

  • Asher – His food would be rich and he would have royal delicacies.

  • Naphtali – His family would be like a doe who bore beautiful fawns.

  • Joseph – He would be like a fruitful tree. His enemies tried to destroy him but God preserved him. Joseph was set apart from his brothers and was to receive the “blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, [and] blessings of the breasts and of the womb.”

  • Benjamin – He was to be a ravenous wolf, devouring prey in the morning and dividing spoil in the evening.

  • These were the blessings Jacob gave to his sons, who were to become the 12 tribes of Israel.

• JACOB’S DEATH AND BURIAL (49:29-33):

  • Jacob knew the time of his death was approaching, so he asked his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried.

  • When Jacob finished speaking, he laid down in bed and passed away.

APPLICATION:

• You are the soil from which a family tree is going to grow. What kind of soil, what kind of foundation, what kind of base, are you providing for the future health of that tree?

• We want to better ourselves, not just for our personal salvation and Christlikeness, but to infuse Jesus into the upbringing of our descendants.

• The richer our soil, the healthier (spiritually speaking) our families will be.

• Vice versa, if we fail to cultivate the soil of our lives with the presence of Jesus, future generations will suffer the consequences of having to grow up in less-than-ideal conditions.