49:19-21
Gad, Asher and Naphtali are another three tribes which get one verse prophecies. Gad would be attacked, but they would counterattack against their enemies. Asher would have land that would enable them to produce rich crops, and also to engage in trade, thus bringing in goods from far flung lands. Naphtali gets a rather nice prophecy, they would have natural resources from the upper Galilee region.
49:22-26
Now we come to Joseph. The fact that he is mentioned again after receiving the blessing indicates that these are prophecies rather than blessings. The archers shooting at Joseph are presumably metaphorical archers, a reference to the attacks of his brothers and the other misfortunes that he encountered. However, despite all this he remained faithful to the Lord. The prophecy then talks about blessings, and the name of God is mentioned multiple times. Jacob knows that the line of blessing flows through him and to his firstborn “real” son, Joseph.
No comments:
Post a Comment