Page 53 - Living Light 90

Monday October 27 - The gathering
“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel”
Genesis 49:2
This gathering almost feels like a present-day TV series in which a dying patriarchal father summons his family to hear his last words. The families in such dramas are very often dysfunctional – much like Jacob’s family! Genesis 30 gives a run-down of this family; Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, who bore him eight sons, and two maidservants of his wives who bore him four sons. Complicated to say the least!
So much will hinge on Jacob’s last words – not only for his sons, but for the nation that will be formed in the years to come, made up of the twelve tribes that will bear their names. This is a pivotal moment; what Jacob says to each son in turn will highlight the good he has seen in each life, and the not so good. His knowledge of them will also serve as a contrast to those things he has seen and known of Joseph, the son he favoured above them all. The air seems heavy with anticipation, as well as sadness, as they gather to hear their father’s final words.
Last words can have a poignancy and be an insight into what we were in life, what we stood for and what we lived for; we often die as we have lived. Jacob’s words will live with them for the rest of their lives.
Dear Lord, our words matter... please make even our last words count too. Amen.
Tuesday October 28 - Lives laid bare... “Judah, your brothers will praise you...” Genesis 49:8
Jacob speaks to each son in order of their birth. For some he begins with something positive about their character, but then things change. To look at each of the ‘blessings’ isn’t possible in this short series, but if you have time, do explore what Jacob said. He knew his sons’ good character traits as well as their bad ones. They are reminded of the consequences of their actions – especially Reuben (vv 3-4). Other ‘blessings’ seem more of a rebuke as with Simeon and Levi (vv 5-7). For some Jacob shares things that will happen ‘in the days to come’: Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad and Asher.
And then there’s Judah. Jacob’s promise to Judah was greater than for all the others
(v 10). He wasn’t the first-born and yet Jacob prophesied that the Messiah, the King of Kings, would be born of Judah’s line. Really, through Judah? Genesis 38 details Judah’s time away from his family – a time I’m sure Judah would rather have forgotten, and yet one word, and one word only, explains this: grace. God’s incredible grace. Judah hadn’t wanted Joseph to be killed (Genesis 37:26-27); he offered his life in the place of Benjamin (Genesis 44:33-34). So, Judah’s is a life ‘redeemed’, and one that brings us the hope we have in the grace of God given so freely to each of us.
Father God, no matter our past, we have a future and a hope in you, just as Judah had. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
51