Prophecy or Character Assessment?
Growing up, a lot of adults in my life made predictions on what kind of a future was in store. “Henry, you will be very unhappy acting that way;” “You’re gonna be a mess;” “You will do great with this!” “You’re going to have a hard time here;” “You will be sorry!” “You will never…” (Fill in the blank).
Now, it is safe to say that none of these prognosticators were necessarily trying to be divine prophets. Most of these comments were not directed to me as predictions of what God was going to do in and through me—they were basically just guesses based on my personality and character traits. When someone suggested that I’d be in trouble that was largely based on my struggles with authority. When they said I would be successful in life that was primarily talking about my work ethic or my family background or the like. I don’t think anyone ever actually spoke a “prophecy,” as in a biblical-style prophecy, about me.
Sometimes a prediction about the future is just an educated guess based on the kind of character that is present. But, sometimes in the Bible, a prediction is not a guess, but a statement of fact… from God Himself.
In Genesis 49, Jacob calls his children together to “tell them what shall happen to them in the days to come” (vs. 1). And so we have our first “interpretive question”—is Jacob just anticipating how his sons’ futures will work out based on his knowledge of who they are? Or, is Jacob speaking definitively based on God’s revelation to him? Of course, the difference here is huge! When we read these verses, are we looking at Jacob’s best guess about what is in store for his sons, or is Jacob the vehicle whereby God gives us insight into the future? In the one case, we read and wonder how well Jacob knew his kids, and if their lives worked out as he guessed they would? In the other case, we are reminded that the future is in God’s hands.
With some of the sons, it is easy to think that Jacob is just extrapolating from their pasts into their future. Take Simeon and Levi for example. These two are hotheads and prone to violence. It is no wonder that Jacob predicts a poor end for them. Naturally, we say, they are trouble and will get trouble. Issachar seems to relish the comforts of life, even at the expense of freedom. So, it would be easy to think that Jacob here is just anticipating how his sons’ lives will play out.
But, the true character of these verses comes clearer when we look carefully at Jacob’s words to his fourth son, Judah. So far in Genesis, Judah has come across as a mixed bag: he led the brothers in selling Joseph into slavery and deceiving Jacob (Genesis 37), his treatment of his daughter-in-law is reprehensible (Genesis 38), yet his willingness to substitute his own freedom for his youngest brothers, Benjamin, is nothing short of spectacular (Genesis 44). But nothing in his past would explain the blessing Judah receives from his father (Genesis 49:8-12). Suddenly, from an obscure and dubious beginning, Judah is propelled into the limelight, and not as a strong supporting figure, but as the dominant leader, the savior. According to Jacob, Judah’s future is royalty, power, authority, victory.
Now, you might be tempted to think this is just Jacob responding to Judah’s most recent actions in protecting Benjamin. Perhaps Jacob is just honoring Judah’s latest character, but how does one explain Jacob’s choice of words to Judah—“your brothers’ shall bow down before you” (vs. 8)? While Joseph was still living, still carrying the family, still the second most powerful man in Egypt, would Jacob have said this to Judah, naming him as the powerful son? I don’t think so!
What we have here is pure and simply divine prophecy. Jacob is acting as God’s mouthpiece, telling His people of His work in their lives. And, when we read this, we are not reading the random thoughts of an old man speaking of his children, but the very Words of God, intended to drive us to Jesus Christ.
How does this prophecy take us to Jesus? Come to worship on Sunday, and we’ll explore that question together!
Read Genesis 49.
1. Jacob is 147 years old when he makes this speech to his sons. About how old might his sons be? Assuming they themselves are kind of old, how can we understand Jacob’s words to them that he is predicting “what shall happen to you in days to come?”
2. Technically, in “days to come” (vs. 1), all these sons lived and died in Egypt. Did God break His promises to these men?
3. What is the emotional tenor of Jacob’s words to Reuben, his firstborn (vs. 3-4)? What words does Jacob use here that betray his emotional feelings toward Reuben? Note: Remember that Reuben had earlier slept with one of Jacob’s wives (Genesis 35:22).
4. The prophecy to Judah is as long as Jacob’s words to Joseph, even though clearly Joseph is his father’s favorite son. What might that tell you about Judah?
5. List out the images Jacob uses in his blessing to Judah. What is important behind each one? Can you anticipate what each is meant to convey? How might you see these qualities reflected in Jesus? And, in Jesus’ work in your life?
6. Most scholars believe that Jacob’s blessing to Dan (vs. 16-17) is fulfilled in Dan’s great descendant, Samson. What connection might be seen here?
7. Jacob can’t keep himself from praise (vs. 18)—“I wait for your salvation, O LORD!” What might be prompting him to say this?
8. Joseph’s blessing is long and clearly captures both
Joseph’s life and the future of his people. What future for the people of
Israel is pictured here? How might all these predictions speak to us of God’s
providence and control over our lives?
