Bible Study: As It Was In The Beginning - Genesis - Chapter 49

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Genesis. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses you through this material.

Stacey


Take a few minutes to savor Genesis Chapter 49. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…



49:3-4 – Reuben’s blessing – “you went up onto your father’s bed” – he slept with Bilhah. see Genesis 35:22.

49:5-7 – Simeon’s and Levi’s blessing - “their swords are weapons of violence” – for avenging Dinah. see Genesis 34.

49:8-12 – Judah’s blessing – Christ, the Lion of Judah, will come from this lineage. “he comes to whom it belongs” – Jesus. “Or until Shiloh comes”. (The Student Bible) Shiloh means Christ. Literally translated: “rest”. Judah is blessed with prominence, leadership and kingship.

49:9 – How have you grown in your practice of leadership?

49:13 – Zebulun’s blessing. The land he inherited was 10 miles from the Mediterranean Sea, so he was close enough to feast on its abundance. (NIVSB)

49:14-15 – Issachar’s blessing. He would receive fertile land.

49:16-18 – Dan’s blessing. will be a serpent – refers to treachery of a group of Danites in Judges 18:27.

Bites the horses’ heels – refers to Samson, a Danite, keeping the Philistines at bay. See Judges 14-16.

49:19 – Gad’s blessing. This tribe was susceptible to attacks by Moab. See Joshua 13:24-27.

49:20 – Asher’s blessing. This tribe settled on fertile farmland. See Joshua 19:24-30.

49:21 – Naphtali’s blessing probably refers to the independent spirit of this people. See Joshua 19:32-38.

49:22-26 – Joseph’s blessing.

49:27 – Benjamin’s blessing. See the exploits of the Benjamites: Ehud (Judges 3:12-30), Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 11-15), and others (Judges 19-21).

49:29-33 – Jacob wanted to be buried in the land of promise.


What attributes of God have you observed in your study today? How will this change your relationship with Him?