Lesson 25 – Jacob Blesses His Sons (Genesis 49)
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Jacob Blesses His Sons
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Why do children from the same parents, growing up in the same home, often turn out to be very different?
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What did Jacob do before he died? (Gen.49:1–2)
What did Jacob say about Reuben? ((Gen.:3–4)
What did Jacob think of his sons? How did Jacob bless his sons? (Gen.49:3–27)
What did Jacob say about his sons Simeon and Levi? (Gen.49:5–7)
What did Jacob say concerning Judah? (Gen.49:8–12)
What was said about Zebulun? (Gen.49:13)
What did Jacob say about Issachar? (Gen.49:14–15)
What did Jacob say concerning Dan? (Gen.49:16–18)
What was said about Gad, Asher, and Naphtali? (Gen.49:19–21)
What did Jacob say about Joseph? (Gen.49:22–26)
What was said about Benjamin? (Gen.49:27)
What instructions did Jacob give his sons? (Gen.49:29–32)
What happened after Jacob blessed his sons? (Gen.49:33)
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What do these verses tell us about the consequences that result from the choices we make?
How can we avoid wasting our lives and squandering our potential?
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(SEARCH IT)
What is one plan or change you can make to avoid wasting or squandering your potential?
Commentary Intro
Jacob’s final acts (Gen.49:1-33)
Jacob’s final blessing for his sons (Gen.49:1-28)
The last words of Jacob, sometimes called the Testament of Jacob, form the first long poem in the Bible. It contains the final blessing pronounced by Jacob, who had blessed Pharaoh (Gen.47:7, 10) and Joseph and his sons (Gen.48:9, 15, 20). Now he would bless his twelve sons (v. 28). Not only does this poem prophesy about the future of the tribes produced by each of Jacob’s sons, but it also recalls in poetic form the acts of four of them: Reuben’s adultery (v. 4), Simeon and Levi’s massacre at Shechem (vv. 5–7), and Judah’s leadership among his brothers (vv. 8–12).
Jacob’s words are both retrospective and prophetic. They reveal that character matters, actions have long consequences, and God’s purposes continue across generations. Judah’s blessing stands out in particular for its royal significance, while Joseph’s blessing emphasizes fruitfulness, strength, and divine favor.
Jacob’s death (Gen.49:29-33)
After blessing his sons, Jacob instructed them to bury him in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah had been buried. Then he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.
Jacob’s final blessing for his sons (Gen.49:1-28)
The last words of Jacob, sometimes called the Testament of Jacob, form the first long poem in the Bible. It contains the final blessing pronounced by Jacob, who had blessed Pharaoh (Gen.47:7, 10) and Joseph and his sons (Gen.48:9, 15, 20). Now he would bless his twelve sons (v. 28). Not only does this poem prophesy about the future of the tribes produced by each of Jacob’s sons, but it also recalls in poetic form the acts of four of them: Reuben’s adultery (v. 4), Simeon and Levi’s massacre at Shechem (vv. 5–7), and Judah’s leadership among his brothers (vv. 8–12).
Jacob’s words are both retrospective and prophetic. They reveal that character matters, actions have long consequences, and God’s purposes continue across generations. Judah’s blessing stands out in particular for its royal significance, while Joseph’s blessing emphasizes fruitfulness, strength, and divine favor.
Jacob’s death (Gen.49:29-33)
After blessing his sons, Jacob instructed them to bury him in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah had been buried. Then he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.
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