MIDTERMS

Genesis 49:1-28
Bob Bonner 
November 11, 2007

If you are a student in either high school or college, this is the time of year when you have come to that point in your school semester known as “midterm.” Midterm is that half-way point in the semester when oftentimes teachers give midterm exams to help you know where you stand as to your ability to grasp the subject at hand. It is a day of reckoning. It is not the time when you are given your final grade, where there is no possible chance to recover, but it is one of those times when you are called to take a look at your performance thus far. If the teacher has a heart for his or her students, from the teacher’s point of view, it can be a joyous time or a difficult time, depending upon the grade he must give. For the student, it can be a time of angst, especially if the student has that feeling inside that he or she has not performed as well as he or she could. The good news about midterms, is that there is always a chance to salvage or improve upon what one has done thus far. The rest of the story has not been finished for that student and that particular academic course.

As we get older, we face many other “midterms” in life. In the job arena, it may be that opportunity to move up in the company when there is an opening. Or, you may hear about another job that you would like to apply for. In the process, your past performance will be evaluated. Human resource persons will write letters of recommendation, phone calls will be made on your behalf and questions asked concerning your past performance, your strengths and weaknesses. Like the student/teacher scenario, this can be a difficult time for both the one seeking the job and for those fellow employees or past employers who have to give an honest evaluation as to one’s work. Sometimes the truth hurts and sometimes it helps. It either tells us that we are ready to move on, or the truth tells us that we have some work do to before we get to where we want to go.

Another type of midterm common to parents is when a child becomes a teenager. It’s different for each child, but somewhere during those teenage years, the parents have a pretty good understanding of how well they have done in preparing their children for life. The good news is that although much of the child’s formative years have passed, there is still work that can be done to improve the child’s chances to live a successful, meaningful and prosperous life.

This morning, in our study of Genesis 49, we are looking at a very real “midterm” report on the lives of Jacob’s twelve sons. Some will receive a good report and a blessing as to what they can look forward to in the days ahead. For others, the grades on their performance will not be very good, and as a result, they will receive an “anti-blessing,” something that is not good news, but it is not the end of their story. It’s true, they can’t change their past, and there are consequences to how they have lived their lives thus far, but they can still do something about how they live and invest the remainder of their years.

This midterm report they are about to receive is simply a truthful evaluation of their lives thus far. For those who receive an anti-blessing, it is not a joyous time. They have come to that point in their lives of no return. They must make a decision to either continue on they way they have, or to change and do things better. Those who have received good marks thus far, and been blessed because of it, can coast on their past performance and hope that their past performance will get them through (which it rarely does) or they can continue to apply themselves and receive further blessing in this life and the one to come.

For Jacob, the father of these twelve sons, this must be a bittersweet time. For he knows that he will not be here to see how each of them will finish their “semester” or course of life. He can see the direction they have headed, the consequences their past actions will have on their future, but there are no guarantees that the rest of their lives will be poorly or well-lived. To give a blessing to some and an anti-blessing to others is really a bitter-sweet occasion for Jacob, one who faced his own midterm exam late in life, with only seventeen years left of his life to be lived and to make up for wasted years.

As we come to this passage, which reflects on literally, the last hour of Jacob’s life, I believe it to be his finest hour. We see the respect that this absentee father, for the first 130 years of his life, has earned from his sons as a result of his last seventeen years of concerted effort to walk with God and to develop a relationship with each of his boys. By this time, he has come to know each of his boys intimately well. He knows their strengths, their tendencies, their differences in personality and preferences. Overall, Jacob has finally become the respected spiritual leader of their home. Sitting on the edge of his bed, these sons give him their undivided attention as Jacob addresses them individually and as a group, for the last time. It is a moment filled with pathos and anticipation.

In the opening two verses of chapter 49, Jacob calls for a family meeting. We read, “Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, ‘Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come. Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob; And listen to Israel your father.’”

In the following verses, we read of Jacob’s last words to his sons. As someone else rightly stated, “Last words are lasting words.” Anything a man says on his death bed is considered to be important.  At the time, these words were prophetic words, but by now they have become largely historical. In some cases, they would be received as good news. In others, not such good news.

From the beginning, Jacob declares that these words are not just the words of a dying father, but they are the words of “Israel,” the one Yahweh had chosen to be the patriarch over their family. Thus, his words carry the weight of God almighty Himself speaking to them. These are God’s scores being handed out to each of these twelve sons in the midterm of their lives.

Before we read each of these prophecies, note Moses’ editorial comment at the end of this section, in verse 28. He says, “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.” This term, “appropriate” is conveying the idea that these blessings or what some might consider curses, were fair, just and deserved based upon each son’s behavior. These statements were not to be taken as predetermined statements such as to say, “Your life is over, you can’t change anything from this point forward.” Instead, these statements to these sons in the midterm of their lives is to say, “These are the consequences of your lives lived thus far. Here is how your lives will affect your own family in years to come.” This begs the question, “Now, what are you going to do from here on out?”  The same is true for me and you. Our lives have consequences on the lives of others around us and the ones who follow after us. Our past is past. We can’t change it. So, what are we going to do from now on?

As we read of Jacob’s prophetic words concerning his sons, keep in mind his age and physical strength. He is 147 and in a few moments, he will be dead. According to Hebrews 11:21, he is so weak that he speaks from his bed in a raised position, leaning on the top of his staff, with his legs hanging over the edge of his bed. Yet, in spite of his physical feebleness, his memory is nothing short of remarkable. He not only names each of his sons, born in their proper birth order, from oldest to youngest, with their respective mothers in mind, but he describes each of their futures and the future of the tribe named after them. Each blessing reveals his intimate understanding of each of their individual natures, personalities, gifts and past accomplishments in their lives. These verses confirm that during these past seventeen years, Jacob had deliberately become a student of each of his children. He was no longer an absentee father. During these last seventeen years he was as involved in their lives as one could be. Reminds us of the old adage, “Better late than never. Better a little than nothing.”

There is a specific outlined order to this passage by which Jacob blesses each of his sons. First, those six sons born to him through his first wife, Leah (verses 3-15); then his four children born to him by his wives’ handmaids (verses 16-21); and finally, Rachel’s two sons (verses 22-27).

As you look at the ratio of words of blessing given all of the sons, Jacob’s blessing of Judah and Joseph cover 40% of the material in these verses, with about the equal amount given to both of those two sons. This amount of blessing aimed at these two sons supports the idea that the ultimate purpose of the narrative of Genesis that began back in chapter 37, was to compare and contrast Judah and Joseph, and how it is by God’s sovereign grace He chooses whom He chooses to accomplish His plans.

With that, let’s begin to look at the midterm grades given to each of these sons. “Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. [Oh Reuben, you were my firstborn, similar to me. In you I had such hope and pride. And then...] Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.”

Reuben is somewhat a pathetic individual, who at one time was the pride and joy of his father. Unfortunately, he had turned out to be weak and unstable as well as lustful. Reuben did not have the moral character or wisdom to lead this family. And sadly, neither would any of his descendants. When you read the description of Reuben as “uncontrolled as water” Ryrie tells us that this literally translated is a picture of “boiling over water”...water that is unstable, uncontrollable, unpredictable and reckless. This is not the type of person who should be leading the chosen people of God. The specific deed to which Jacob points as proof of his indictment of Reuben was his son’s attempt to sleep with one of Jacob’s concubines.

When Jacob predicts that neither Reuben nor his descendants will have preeminence, he means that none of his sons will really amount to anything. None will win a blue ribbon. And as history later proves, no prophet, judge, priest, king or hero came from the tribe of Reuben. They were the first tribe to ask to settle in the promise land, not waiting to cross over the Jordan. They participated in the erection of an unauthorized place of worship. During the wars in Judges, under Deborah and Barak, they failed to answer the call to arms. What a sad heritage he left behind.

Next, Jacob mentions two brothers at once, Simeon and Levi. It is the only time he does, because they were so much alike. Both were both hot tempered, angry and cruel. Typically, they hung together. Yet, they were different. “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel.”

Jacob quickly disassociates himself from these two sons’ motives and actions. Simeon and Levi were men of anarchy and not justice, hence lacking what is necessary to be leaders. The reference to “lamed oxen” is a reminder of their wanton act of destruction when they crippled the Shechemites’ oxen by cutting their leg tendons, making them useless work animals. There was no need for that. It was a waste of property. It was senseless cruelty.

As a result of Simeon and Levi’s actions their families would be divided and scattered. Eventually, Simeon would be swallowed up in the tribe of Judah. However, the tribe of Levi redeemed themselves in the wilderness, when they opposed the idolatry connected with the golden calf, and thus, became the priestly tribe.  This is an example of a man’s family deciding at midterm to change the way they lived their lives. Furthermore, to redeem a savage tribe like Levi, and to turn them into priests is also an example of God’s grace in action.  It reminds me of what God, by his grace has done for us, when we committed our lives to Christ. For we read in 1 Peter 2:5 “...you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  As a Christian, God says that you are a minister, a priest. Whether you are paid to be a minister or not, God expects you to serve Him as His priest. Talk about an example of the effective work of redemption!

Next we read of Judah, another trophy of God’s grace. Judah, who began as a self-centered, jealous and angry boy, became repentant, saved and transformed. Of him Jacob says, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. [you will be the leader of all the tribes] Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches [not to pounce but to rest], he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? Judah would be as strong as a young lion who has eaten it’s prey and secure as a mature lion whom no one would dare to rouse.” In other words, this is a picture of Judah being mighty in battle and kingly in repose. Judah’s name means “praise.” Hence, because of his strong leadership amongst the tribes, the other tribes will praise him. Also take note that Jesus, in Revelation 5:5, is identified as the lion king from the tribe of Judah. 

Hence we read on, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” This is a messianic prediction, that the ultimate King of Israel, Jesus Christ would come through the tribe of Judah. This king’s name will be “Shiloh” which means “rest.” Remember what Jesus said of Himself in Matthew 11:28? “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

“He ties his foal to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine;...” Of this verse, the Hebrew scholar, Dr. Bruce Waltke writes, “The vine is a symbol of fertility, joy, peace, and prosperity. Here it is hyperbole of tremendous prosperity. No one but an incredibly wealthy individual would tether a donkey to a choice vine, for the donkey would consume the valuable grapes.”

“He washes his garments in wine, And his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are dull from wine, [or probably a better translation would be “brighter and more sparkling than wine.”] And his teeth white from milk [a sign of healthy and strong teeth or physical well-being because one has eaten well].”

Both the wine and white teeth metaphor are images of incredible prosperity and blessing under the rule of this king. This is obviously a picture of what it will be like to live during the Millennial Kingdom, when Jesus comes back to reign on a new earth.

This prophecy of Judah becoming the ruler over the rest of the tribes didn’t begin its fulfillment until David became king. At that point, Judah was the prominent tribe. Another great leader from the tribe of Judah was Daniel who became a ruler in Babylon! Eventually, when the other 10 tribes were scattered, the tribe of Judah became synonymous with Israel as a whole.

The next tribe mentioned is in verse 13, “Zebulun will dwell at the seashore; And he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon.” Basically, this is a prophetic statement that Zebulun would be enriched by seaborne trade.

With Issachar we return to another negative prophecy. As a result of watching Issachar’s work habits, Jacob declares, “Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. When he saw that a resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, he bowed his shoulder to bear burdens, and became a slave at forced labor.”

Historically, the land belonging to the tribe of Issachar was rich and abundant with crops which provided a great opportunity for him. However, the tribe’s rich lands and crops also attracted marauders and captors. True to Issachar’s nature, rather than protect the land or work it, this strong man was lazy. He stubbornly refused to work, preferring comfort—that’s the intended meaning of the words “lying down between the sheepfolds.” As a result, his tribe will be forced “to bend his shoulder to the burden.” In the end, rather than being an initiator or an entrepreneur, this tribe will be known for its becoming forced laborers on their own property.

Beginning with verse 16, we look at those blessings directed at the sons of Jacob’s haidmaidens, Bilhah and Zilpah. “Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. [Samson was a judge for 20 years] Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a horned snake in the path, that bites the horse’s heels, so that his rider falls backward.” As a snake can strike at the legs of a horse and overthrow the mightier animal, so too would Dan be able to exert itself as one of the smaller tribes. After that positive remark, Jacob adds, “For Your salvation I wait, O Lord.” In other words, it will only be by grace that any of this tribe will be saved. Why say this? Possibly, this may be a veiled reference to the future when the tribe of Dan introduces idolatry to Israel on an official basis, which may be the reason why in Revelation 7:4-8, they are omitted as one of the twelve tribes

“As for Gad, raiders shall raid him, But he will raid at their heels.” The lands that eventually belong to the tribe of Gad, are east of the Jordan, vulnerable and unprotected from raiders on their east side. Hence, they will be the easy targets for marauding bands, but they will fight valiantly in the process and eventually overcome these raiders.

“As for Asher, his food shall be rich, And he will yield royal dainties.” The land belonging to the tribe of Asher was north of Mt. Carmel, on the rich seacoast. Hence, because of its fertile land and being next to seaports, this tribe would be productive and enjoy royal delicacies easily obtained through import/ export trade.

“Naphtali is a doe let loose, He gives beautiful words.” The tribe of Naphtali proved to be a free mountain people. They were swift and agile especially in battle.  The statement, “He gives beautiful words” points to his being a gifted and eloquent speaker. This prediction, no doubt, was fulfilled in measure by the victory song of Deborah and the best known descendant of Naphtali, Barak in Judges 5:1-31. Together, Deborah and Barak defeated Jabin, King of Hazor.

Beginning with verse 22, Jacob now turns to bless his beloved Rachel’s two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. The following blessing to Joseph, although about the same length as Jacob’s blessing of Judah, is the most eloquent of all. Six times in this prophetic word you find the term “blessing” describing God’s lavish treatment of Joseph, in the areas of his agricultural produce, his livestock, his leadership and his descendants.

For this passage, let’s read from the NIV translation, simply because I think it reads more clearly. Notice that in verse 22, Jacob describes Joseph’s present condition, then in verses 23-24 he reminds Joseph of God’s faithfulness in the past to deliver Joseph from his past enemies, namely his brothers. Then in verses 25-26, Jacob declares that because of God’s blessing of Joseph, Jacob, in turn has been blessed more than those who proceeded him. In addition, Jacob prophetically declares God’s ongoing blessing in Joseph’s life and those who follow after him. We read, “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. [an image of prosperity that will continue on to his two sons. It was this prosperity that led to the bitterness of his brothers mentioned in verse 23] With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, [this is a picture of someone who is moving forward, unvanquished and successful. How could this be? The answer comes in the rest of the next few verses...Because of God] because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, [the one who leads, defends and provides] the Rock of Israel [the steady stable unchanging one], because of your father’s God, who helps you, [the idea here is just as God has helped your forefathers in the past, He has helped you and He will continue to help you and your descendants in the future] because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb [these are blessings that are ongoing to his descendants]. Your father’s blessings [Jacob’s] are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills [his forefathers]. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.” As I mentioned last time, from Joseph came two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. From his son Ephraim came Joshua, Deborah and Samuel. From Manasseh came Gideon and Jephthah. Not only was the present family blessed because of Joseph, but through Joseph’s sons, and their descendants’ leadership down through the ages, Israel will be blessed.

Last but not least, Jacob blesses his final child, Benjamin. “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he devours the prey, And in the evening he divides the spoil.” Benjamin is compared to an animal, a wolf that usually kills far more than it can eat, and then divides the spoil. This animal imagery prophetically declares that Benjamin and his future tribe will have a reputation for bravery and skill at war. I counted ten references in Old Testament history of this tribes bravery and ruthlessness as warriors. But sadly, in the last two chapters of the book of Judges, the tribe of Benjamin is almost divinely wiped out as a tribe of Israel amidst a civil war that took place between Benjamin and all the other tribes of Israel. But over time, the tribe produced the first King of Israel, Saul and the New Testament Apostle Paul.

With Jacob’s blessing of his last son, Benjamin, his family blessing comes to a close and he climbs back in bed, to get ready to die. We read, “Then he charged them and said to them, ‘I am about to be gathered to my people;[an expression of faith, stating that although dead, Jacob believes his ancestors still live on in heaven] bury me with my father’s in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a burial site. There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah, there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there I buried Leah—the field and the cave that is in it, purchased from the sons of Heth.’ When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” This phrase, “gathered to his people” not only refers to his burial but also to Jacob’s joining his godly parents and grandparents, alive beyond the grave, awaiting the coming of the Messiah and the great resurrection day.

As we pause for a moment to reflect upon what God’s Word has said to us, it should be obvious to all of us that there will be an ultimate day of reckoning as to how we have lived and invested our lives. On that day, there will be one of two different judgments each of us will face. If we reject Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God’s Word teaches that we will face the Great White Throne judgment, where by God will permanently banish those who have rejected Jesus from His presence, to spend eternity in hell. If you are someone who is still holding Jesus off at arm’s length, then today is your midterm. Your past is past. You know where you stand with God today. Are you going to do something different between now and the end of your term? The decision is yours.

But for those of you who have committed your lives to Christ, you will face Jesus at the Bema Seat, a judgment of sorts. It is not a judgment as to one’s eternal destiny, but rather a time to receive our grades for how we invested our lives here on earth, serving Him by faith. It will be a time of receiving one’s eternal rewards for what we have done here on earth.  For you, today is your midterm. How are you doing as to walking by faith and investing your life in that which God says is a priority? The term of your life is not over yet. You can still invest your life in that which will bring you eternal blessings. How are you going to spend the rest of your days?

As we think about Jacob’s sons, we recognize that each of them had ample opportunity to prove themselves and what they were made of. Each of them had time to invest his life in either that which was significantly important or that which was futile. Each of them was known by name, by his earthly father and his heavenly Father. Each was considered to be important. Each had his own personality and gifts. Each had his own strengths and weaknesses. Each had his own personal battles in life that needed to be fought. None of them was dealt the same hand. But most importantly, nobody else could live their lives for them. The point is this: Each person is important to God; and thus, each person has his own responsibility to invest his life wisely.

As we come closer to the end of this, the first book of the Bible, we can clearly see that wise and blessed are those who seek the Lord as to what He considers to be the best and wisest investment of their life. Ignoring God’s leading in one’s life or His directions in any facet of one’s life, is pure foolishness. Whether you are considering whom to date, or whether or not to cheat on an exam, or whether or not to abide by the law that governs your job, business, taxes or driving, or whether or not to have children or how many, or whether or not you are to keep on investing your money or to start giving more money away, all of our decisions can either involve God’s direction and wisdom, or we can ignore Him. Either way, you are loved by God and will be held responsible as to how you have invested your life.

Closely related to this is the obvious lesson we learn from the impact of each son’s life upon the future lives of his descendants. Each person will have the opportunity to leave a heritage either worthless or worthwhile. How I live and invest my life today will either handcuff my descendants spiritually, physically, emotionally, educationally and financially, or it will give them a step up or an advantage over others. The decisions I make today don’t just affect my life, they affect many lives to come. Will your descendants want to thank you and praise you for the way you have lived and invested your life, or will they wish they had been a part of someone else’s tribe? Will the final grade of your life be a blessing or anti-blessing to others? The choice is yours. Redeem the time you have left to live.

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