Read with Me
Genesis 49:22-27 (HCSB)
Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring;
its branches climb over the wall.
The archers attacked him, shot at him, and were hostile toward him.
Yet his bow remained steady, and his strong arms were made agile
by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you
with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below,
and blessings of the breasts and the womb.
The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the eternal hills.
May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the prince of his brothers.
Benjamin is a wolf; he tears his prey.
In the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder.”
Listen with Me
Jacob finally arrives at the blessing for the two sons of Rachel, his favorite wife. Jacob had already bestowed the birthright on Joseph and the blessing of rulership and the Messiah on Judah. But now was a time of prophecy, of foretelling the future of these sons.
Joseph had already made a powerful name for himself, both in Egypt and among his family members. It was he who had preserved Egypt and the surrounding countries in the midst of the seven-year famine, and he was loved and respected by the people of Egypt.
In looking forward, Jacob sees a bright and hopeful future for the descendants of his favorite son. He Joseph’s sons becoming large and influential tribes in Israel, blessed with portions of the land that would be rich and fertile. But he also sees that he will be regularly attacked by those who covet his rich land. Even though God would help him to overcome all those challenges, he will be able to do so only with God’s help.
This prophecy came true, with the twin tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh controlling more territory between them than any other tribe. The portion given to Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan excellent grazing land, but it was especially vulnerable to incursions from peoples in Syria and Mesopotamia. But until God turned them over to the King of Assyria, no one was able to conquer Joseph.
The imagery of a ravenous wolf used to depict Benjamin’s future doesn’t seem very positive. But Benjamin was the most belligerent of the tribes, seemingly willing to start a fight, or even a war, at the slightest provocation. At one point, his descendants would be nearly wiped out by the other eleven tribes of (Judges 20). But the tribe eventually recovered and boasted such luminaries has Saul, the first king of united Israel (1 Samuel 10:20-21), and Saul of Tarsus, one of the preeminent apostles of the Church.
Pray with Me
Father, Jacob was peering forward more than 400 years, in a couple of cases nearly 1500 years, to see what would happen to the descendants of his sons. But he wasn’t merely guessing based on human wisdom. You, who can see the end from the beginning, were able to help him see clearly. Even today, Lord, You know what lays in our future, and can show it to us when it will help us to move forward. Help me to trust that You not only know the future, but that You hold it in Your hands. Amen.