Week 11: Jacob's Blessings

Jacob is a hundred and forty-seven, nearly blind, and dying, and he spends his last strength giving away blessings. First he takes Joseph’s two sons as his own and crosses his hands over their heads, setting the younger ahead of the firstborn. Joseph tries to move his father’s hand. Jacob knows exactly what he’s doing: I know, my son, I know! Then he calls all twelve sons around his bed and tells each one the truth. Reuben hears about his father’s bed, and Simeon and Levi hear about Shechem. Joseph is called a fruitful vine and the prince of his brothers. And the scepter goes to Judah, the brother who once said let’s sell him, with a promise of a King to whom the nations will one day answer. Genesis 48–49 is about grace that doesn’t follow birth order, honesty that comes too late to talk anything through, and a Lion from Judah who turns out to be a Lamb.