Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

It was the last of Israel’s life. He called his sons to his bedchamber and they gathered around. He sat there, legs over the edge of the bed, and spoke to them of where they were headed. He spoke into their destiny and he spoke blessings (mostly).

Reuben, the firstborn, had the firstborn rights removed from him. He has proven that though there were good things and he’d repented of actions, he had a tendency to flow to the lowest point. There were no real leaders in his tribe and the two most notable rebelled against Moses (Numbers 16:1-35).

Simeon and Levi were lumped together. Their anger was cursed and they themselves were chastised. Levi’s tribe were priests, but they had no land and were scattered throughout Israel.

Judah was exceedingly blessed, proclaimed a leader, prosperous, and a ruler that would never pass away. Out of Judah came King David and Jesus of Nazareth.

Zebulun blessed to be a sea-dweller and the borders of his tribe clearly stated.

Issachar would be strong and industrious, living in a very pleasant land.

Dan would be a judge. One of his descendants was Samson, who was a judge of the people. Not the largest tribe, but powerful. It would be marred, but they would await salvation.

Gad would be a troop who not only survived, but had abundance.

Naphtali would be free and words would flow from them.

Joseph had growth and abundance, more than all the brothers. He had been attacked, but God made him strong. He would not only be blessed by Israel, but by God Himself.

Benjamin would be victorious in battle. Through both Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2) and Paul (2 Timothy 4:16-18), this certainly came true.

Israel/Jacob charged his sons to take him back to Canaan and bury him in the cave Abraham purchased. We knew Abraham and Sarah were there, but here we learn that Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were also buried there. Now Rachel was buried at the side of the road near Bethlehem, but Leah was buried in the family cave.

Israel pulled his legs onto his bed, lay down, and was gathered to his people. It doesn’t say HE died (though his body ceased), but went to his ancestors. God Himself said that He was the God of (the living) patriarchs (Matthew 22:32; Exodus 3:6). When we are no longer here, we are there. Changed addresses, not a ceasing (2 Corinthians 5:8).

“After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.” (Genesis 50:14)

Joseph fell on his father and wept. His brothers aren’t recorded as doing that. Israel was mourned for a total of 70 days by the nation of Egypt and he was embalmed (that took 40). Joseph asked permission to go bury him and they went. Joseph, the entire family, and some Egyptians. They buried Israel and mourned for 7 days, making so much noise the Canaanites changed the name of the place. They fulfilled Israel’s request, and then they all went back to Egypt.

Now the brothers panicked. They figured that like Esau, Joseph was just waiting until their father died to take revenge on them. So they fell into old patterns and lied. Sent him a message saying Jacob has asked them to relay a request that Joseph forgive them. It hurt Joseph (he cried) that this is still what they felt – he’d been good to them for seventeen years now. He assured them he held no malice. He recognised the hand of God in it, turning their evil intent to good for everyone.

Joseph lived in Egypt 93 years. He saw children, his children’s children, and their kids too (great grandchildren). He told the family at his deathbed to remember to take his body with them when they went back to Canaan – which they did (Exodus 13:19). His body stopped, it was embalmed, and Joseph was put into a coffin.

It was now only 154 years until God handed the Law down to Moses. The time of their deliverance was near.

Summary

Key Players: Israel/Jacob, Joseph

Key Themes: Blessing, Return

Key Verse(s): Genesis 48:1, 28-31; 50:12-14, 19, 24-26