49:3,4
Reuben is first up. He was the firstborn. This is why Jacob speaks of him as being pre-eminent in dignity and power. This is what should have happened. However, Reuben’s sleeping with Bilnah, one of Jacob’s concubines (Gen 35:22,23) had changed all this. So he would not in fact be pre-eminent. We can lose God’s blessing on our lives by disobedient behaviour.
49:5-7
Simeon and Levi are taken together. Their violent behaviour refers back to their actions in Gen 34. Jacob rebuked them at the time, and declares that he does not want their “philosophy” to be part of his soul. Violence is not to be part of the life of the church. Sadly there have been times when the church has forgotten this. While Jacob had many faults and failings, he had learnt many things from his life.
“Cursed be their anger”. Their anger was to come under God’s judgement. They would not be allowed to become a single entity. Instead the Levites were scattered throughout the land, and the Simeonites were given land in Judah.
No comments:
Post a Comment