Bible
Study: Genesis 49, 2 to 10. And Matthew 1, 1 to 17.
From what
our readings present to us today, we can safely conclude that there is nothing
God respects as much as the words of blessing of a father over his children. Whatever
a father says over his sons or daughters, it MUST surely come to pass. If they
are words of blessing, then happy would be the future of that child or children
but if they are words of curses, then it would be better for that child not to
live to experience them.
At times,
the blessing a father gives over his children does not follow the order of
their birth, meaning that being a first son or first child does not
automatically translate to being the greatest among children. When we look at
the whole family history from Abraham, we see that the first borns were not so
favoured. Ishmeal came before Isaac but the promise was for Isaac. Isaac gave
birth to twins but Jacob being the younger son received a greater blessing
because his elder brother Esau sold his birthright to him without realising the
implication. Now Jacob had twelve sons and these were the order of their birth:
First was Reuben.
He was born in 1759 BC, by Leah to Jacob. The meaning of his name is “see a son.”
Genesis 29, 32.
Secondly,
there came Simeon, born two years after Reuben by Leah, his name means “God has
heard.” Genesis 29, 33.
Thirdly, Levi
was born, three years younger than Reuben, still by Leah, his name meaning “joining.”
Genesis 29, 34.
Then the
fourth was Judah, born in 1755 BC, four good years younger than the first still
by Leah, his name means “to praise.” Genesis 29, 35.
Fifth was Dan,
an age made of Judah, born by Bilhah, his name meaning “judged.” Genesis 30, 5
to 6.
Sixth in
the line was Naphtali, a year younger than Judah and Dan, still by Bilhah, his
name means “my struggle.” Genesis 30, 7 to 8.
Seven was Gad,
born a year after Naphtali by Zilpah, his name means “troop or company” Funny
enough, by this time, Jacob’s children had become a troop. Genesis 30, 10 to 11.
Then came
Number eight. Asher born a year after by Zilpah.
His name means “happy.” Genesis 30, 12 to 13.
Number
nine was Issachar, seven years younger than the first son Reuben. His mother
was Leah. His name means “reward, recompense.” Genesis 30, 17 to 18.
Tenth was Zebulun,
born a year after Issachar still by Leah, his name meaning “gifts or honour.” Genesis 30, 19 to 20.
The eleventh
and the most popular was Joseph, the man who was practically the Messiah of the
family. He was born in 1745, a whole fourteen years younger than Reuben by his
mother Rachel, the beloved wife. His name means “God shall add.” Genesis 30, 23
to 24.
Finally,
the twelfth was Benjamin, born six years after Joseph by Rachel. His name means
“son of my right hand.” Genesis 35, 16 to 18.
Now, to be
honest, out of all the children, Benjamin was most loved by their father Jacob because
of the love he had for Rachel. He met Rachel first and wanted to marry her but
he was deceived by Laban who exchanged Leah for Rachel on their wedding night
saying that a younger sister cannot marry before the elder one. So Jacob had to
work for another seven years in pain and sorrow for love of his beloved. At the
end, you wonder why Benjamin did not get the ultimate blessing.
Do you even
consider Joseph, the man who rescued the entire family and brought them to
Egypt? If anything, as a reward for his labour, he would have got the greatest
blessing because at the time this blessings were pronounced in Genesis 49,
Jacob was about to die safe in the hands of Joseph in Egypt but these blessings
were not just means for him.
Reuben was
the first son, still yet nothing for him. Levi was the priest, yet nothing for
him. It just happened that Judah, despite being the fourth son, despite being
the son of Leah who was not so loved by Jacob, that got the greatest blessing
which our first reading today recounts. “Judah, your brothers shall praise you;
your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow
down before you…” Its quite funny that that was the very dream of Joseph but
this blessing was now going to be Judah’s portion.
In the Gospel
passage, we see how this ultimate blessing of Judah played out. It was Judah,
out of the twelve sons that became the direct ancestor of Jesus Christ. Now,
can you see why it is good for fathers to bless their sons?
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, make me realise that my words over my children are powerful and teach me
to use them to speak well into their future. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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