Learning From OT Greats: Jacob – Wrestling With PurposeSample

Day 6: Jacob blesses his Children (part 1)  

Thoughts on the Passage

Jacob speaks into the lives of his children. Today we will look at the words he spoke to the four oldest sons.

From a cultural perspective, the firstborn son is supposed to receive the birthright and the blessing. The birthright is a double portion of what all the other children receive. The blessing is God’s promise that comes down through Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob.

God bypasses culture a lot!
God had Abraham bypass Ishmael and release the birthright and blessing to Isaac. Isaac bypassed Esau and released the birthright and blessing to Jacob. He does it here, as well, when Jacob releases his blessing on his children. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are all bypassed. Judah receives the blessing of the promised Messiah. Later, when we look at the life of Joseph, we will see that Joseph receives the birthright – the double portion.

Reuben. He forfeited much because he slept with Bildah – she was the maid of Rachel who was given to Jacob to bear children on Rachel’s behalf. He lost his position of being first in the family because of this.

Simeon and Levi. They killed the men of Shechem because the ruler’s son defiled and raped Dinah their sister. Jacob called their angry outburst of violence fierce and cruel. He would not allow his name to be put to their action. So even now he will not put his name of blessing upon their descendants. Instead, they are to be dispersed among the rest of the children. 

Judah. He receives the blessing of the coming Messiah – the greatest part of the blessing of God given to Abraham. This is an A+ blessing. It is one of two that Jacob gives to his sons. Judah is the first to receive it. Why did Judah receive it? Among other things, he paid the price to enable reconciliation with Joseph. This enabled Jacob and family to be fully restored, protected in Egypt, and able to move into their destiny as a nation.

Application to our Lives

If your father were to release a blessing to you today what would you deserve? What sacrifices have you made so that the family blessing and destiny can be realized?

Judah was far from perfect – he did many wrong things. Have you allowed your failures to define you?

Time to Pray

Father, as I look at the blessings Jacob gives, some of them are not great. It did not stop the children from coming under the blessing God had for the family. It just limited their role. I do not want that for my life. I want a full blessing and I know there are sacrifices that are needed in order to receive that. Give me courage to be willing to pay the price. Give me wisdom to do what needs to be done to release your blessing in our family. In Jesus name, Amen.