Genesis:49

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* Verse 1 ,2 - All Jacob 's sons were living . His calling them together was a precept for them to unite in love , not to mingle with the Egyptians ; and foretold that they should not be separated , as Abraham 's sons and Isaac 's were , but should all make one people . We are not to consider this address as the expression of private feelings of affection , resentment , or partiality ; but as the language of the Holy Ghost , declaring the purpose of God respecting the character , circumstances , and situation of the tribes which descended from the sons of Jacob , and which may be traced in their histories . * Verse 3-7 - Reuben was the first-born ; but by gross sin , he forfeited the birthright . The character of Reuben is , that he was unstable as water . Men do not thrive , because they do not fix . Reuben 's sin left a lasting infamy upon his family . Let us never do evil , then we need not fear being told of it . Simeon and Levi were passionate and revengeful . The murder of the Shechemites is a proof of this . Jacob protested against that barbarous act . Our soul is our honour ; by its powers we are distinguished from , and raised above , the beasts that perish . We ought , from our hearts , to abhor all bloody and mischievous men . Cursed be their anger . Jacob does not curse their persons , but their lusts . I will divide them . The sentence as it respects Levi was turned into a blessing . This tribe performed an acceptable service in their zeal against the worshippers of the golden calf , Exodus 32 . Being set apart to God as priests , they were in that character scattered through the nation of Israel . * Verse 8-12 - Judah 's name signifies praise . God was praised for him , chap . strkjv @29:35 ,. praised by him , and praised in him ; therefore his brethren shall praise him . Judah should be a strong and courageous tribe . Judah is compared , not to a lion raging and ranging , but to a lion enjoying the satisfaction of his power and success , without creating vexation to others ; this is to be truly great . Judah should be the royal tribe , the tribe from which Messiah the Prince should come . Shiloh , that promised Seed in whom the earth should be blessed , "that peaceable and prosperous One ," or "Saviour ," he shall come of Judah . Thus dying Jacob at a great distance saw Christ 's day , and it was his comfort and support on his death-bed . Till Christ 's coming , Judah possessed authority , but after his crucifixion this was shortened , and according to what Christ foretold , Jerusalem was destroyed , and all the poor harassed remnant of Jews were confounded together . Much which is here said concerning Judah , is to be applied to our Lord Jesus . In him there is plenty of all which is nourishing and refreshing to the soul , and which maintains and cheers the Divine life in it . He is the true Vine ; wine is the appointed symbol of his blood , which is drink indeed , as shed for sinners , and applied in faith ; and all the blessings of his gospel are wine and milk , without money and without price , to which every thirsty soul is welcome . Isaiah strkjv @55:1 . * Verse 13-18 - Concerning Zebulun : if prophecy says , Zebulun shall be a haven of ships , be sure Providence will so plant him . God appoints the bounds of our habitation . It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot , and to improve it ; if Zebulun dwell at the heaven of the sea , let him be for a haven of ships . Concerning Issachar : he saw that the land was pleasant , yielding not only pleasant prospects , but pleasant fruits to recompense his toils . Let us , with an eye of faith , see the heavenly rest to be good , and that land of promise to be pleasant ; this will make our present services easy . Dan should , by art , and policy , and surprise , gain advantages against his enemies , like a serpent biting the heel of the traveller . Jacob , almost spent , and ready to faint , relieves himself with those words , "I have waited for thy salvation , O Lord !" The salvation he waited for was Christ , the promised Seed ; now that he was going to be gathered to his people , he breathes after Him to whom the gathering of the people shall be . He declared plainly that he sought heaven , the better country , Hebrews strkjv @11:13 ,14 . Now he is going to enjoy the salvation , he comforts himself that he had waited for the salvation . Christ , as our way to heaven , is to be waited on ; and heaven , as our rest in Christ , is to be waited for . It is the comfort of a dying saint thus to have waited for the salvation of the Lord ; for then he shall have what he has been waiting for . * Verse 19-21 - Concerning Gad , Jacob alludes to his name , which signifies a troop , and foresees the character of that tribe . The cause of God and his people , though for a time it may seem to be baffled and run down , will be victorious at last . It represents the Christian 's conflict . Grace in the soul is often foiled in its conflicts ; troops of corruption overcome it , but the cause is God 's , and grace will in the end come off conqueror , yea , more than conqueror , Romans strkjv @8:37 . Asher should be a rich tribe . His inheritance bordered upon Carmel , which was fruitful to a proverb . Naphtali , is a hind let loose . We may consider it as a description of the character of this tribe . Unlike the laborious ox and ass ; desirous of ease and liberty ; active , but more noted for quick despatch than steady labour and perseverance . Like the suppliant who , with goodly words , craves mercy . Let not those of different tempers and gifts censure or envy one another . * Verse 22-27 - The blessing of Joseph is very full . What Jacob says of him , is history as well as prophecy . Jacob reminds him of the difficulties and fiery darts of temptations he had formerly struggled through . His faith did not fail , but through his trials he bore all his burdens with firmness , and did not do anything unbecoming . All our strength for resisting temptations , and bearing afflictions , comes from God ; his grace is sufficient . Joseph became the shepherd of Israel , to take care of his father and family ; also the stone of Israel , their foundation and strong support . In this , as in many other things , Joseph was a remarkable type of the Good Shepherd , and tried Corner Stone of the whole church of God . Blessings are promised to Joseph 's posterity , typical of the vast and everlasting blessings which come upon the spiritual seed of Christ . Jacob blessed all his sons , but especially Joseph , "who was separated from his brethren ." Not only separated in Egypt , but , possessing eminent dignity , and more devoted to God . Of Benjamin it is said , He shall ravin as a wolf . Jacob was guided in what he said by the Spirit of prophecy , and not by natural affection ; else he would have spoken with more tenderness of his beloved son Benjamin . Concerning him he only foresees and foretells , that his posterity should be a warlike tribe , strong and daring , and that they should enrich themselves with the spoils of their enemies ; that they should be active . Blessed Paul was of this tribe , Romans strkjv @11:1 . Php strkjv @3:5 . he , in the morning of his day , devoured the prey as a persecutor , but in the evening divided the spoils as a preacher ; he shared the blessings of Judah 's Lion , and assisted in his victories . * Verse 28-33 - Jacob blessed every one according to the blessings God in after-times intended to bestow upon them . He spoke about his burial-place , from a principle of faith in the promise of God , that Canaan should be the inheritance of his seed in due time . When he had finished both his blessing and his charge , and so had finished his testimony , he addressed himself to his dying work . He gathered up his feet into the bed , not only as one patiently submitting to the stroke , but as one cheerfully composing himself to rest , now that he was weary . He freely gave up his spirit into the hand of God , the Father of spirits . If God 's people be our people , death will gather us to them . Under the care of the Shepherd of Israel , we shall lack nothing for body or soul . We shall remain unmoved until our work is finished ; then , breathing out our souls into His hands for whose salvation we have waited , we shall depart in peace , and leave a blessing for our children after us . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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