This chapter contains Jacob’s prophecy over his sons concerning what will become of the tribes that will bear their name in the future. You will see that the character of each son will determine the character of their tribe. Reuben would not be able to rule as firstborn because of inner weakness. Simeon and Levi would not have their own tribal land because they had too much of a taste for violence. Judah, however, will become the leading tribe, and from this tribe would come the Messiah (note that the tribe of Benjamin would become part of Judah). There is the sense here that the destiny of each tribe was already built into their character, for better or for worse. This raises an interesting point. There is a sense in which your future is in you already, in seed form. In many people this could be a negative thing because that inner seed is naturally corrupted. But, when Christ comes to rule in our hearts, a new seed is planted that grows into a new and blessed future for us. We can choose this destiny over the one we naturally inherited. God is sovereign over all that occurs but somehow, he includes our choices in that scheme. And here is the choice: it is between where your life would naturally go without God, and where it will go if you choose to entrust yourself to Christ. You can inherit the blessing and destiny of Judah by making the King of the Jews your King. The choice is yours.
Articulate your choice before God. Then reflect on the blessing that is given you in Christ in verses 8-12.
Read Genesis 49:1-28.
