Genesis 49:1-12 - Believers Chapel

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The description of Reuben's collapse is found, first, in the expression, "uncontrolled as water" (cf. v. 4). The metaphor, which literally means something like boiling over like water, suggests a certain seething of lust, an unbridled license. The result is an evaluation of Reuben that pointed to both wildness and weakness, an undisciplined life. The last words of verse four, "he went up to my couch," are very vivid. The order of the words in the original text lays emphasis on the astonishing wantonness of the act. "To my couch he went up!" And the change of the person from the second person to the third person appears to indicate that at this point Jacob turned to the other brethren in horror at the thought of what Reuben had done,—"he went up to my couch." Jacob had said nothing about the act, so far as the Genesis record is concerned, when it took place (cf. 35:33), but it is clear that he had been indignant over it. It is possible that he had never told anyone about the deed, and that this is the first revelation of it to the brethren. Thus, the use of the third person would represent a revelation to them of the revulsion of their father over the wicked sexual act of incest. At any rate, by the act Reuben lost his birthright. THE BLESSING OF SIMEON AND LEVI Their evaluation (Gen. 49:5). The historical background of this section is the incident recorded in chapter thirty -four, the slaughter of the men of Shechem and the spoiling of the city, because Shechem, the son of Hamor, had taken Dinah, the daughter of Leah, and had defiled her by illegal intercourse. Jacob speaks of the two brothers who slew the men of the city, when they were in pain over circumcision, as two of a pair. They were Leah's sons, and he specifically mentions that, "Simeon and Levi are brothers." And they were brothers in violence. The reason for the disapproval of them (Gen. 49:6). Jacob relates the disapproval to their excessive ruthless spite, not to mention 4
the reproach that they brought upon his name. The latter is the source of his disapproval in chapter thirty -four. Their reaction is the reaction of many of us when a wrong is done us. We find it difficult to remember and rely on the word, "vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." We want to repay the evil deeds against us ourselves, thinking that God is unable or unwilling, to execute judgment on those who have been so rash as to offend us. The curse upon Simeon and Levi (Gen. 49:7). After condemning their anger and wrath, Jacob announces that they will be dispersed among the nation. They had banded together to their harm, and so he will disperse them for their good. The prophecy was fulfilled, for Simeon was scattered among the tribes. Levi was scattered among the cities given to them by the Lord, and they were given the task of serving the tabernacle and its needs. Their dispersal was a reward for their reversal of their act of slaughter, for they stood by Moses in the incident of the golden calf. In the midst of the unbelief and sin of the golden calf Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, "Who is on the Lord's side Let him come unto me." And Levi responded, for Moses wrote afterwards, "And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him" (cf. Exod. 32:26). Evidently in the mind of God Levi had redeemed itself as a tribe before Him by their forthright stand there for Him. THE BLESSING OF JUDAH The oracle of dominance (Gen. 49:8). There are really three oracles in the words to Judah, the first in verse eight, the second in verse nine, and the last in the remaining verses. 4 The first may be called an oracle of dominance in the light of the words, "Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies," and, "Your father's sons shall bow down to you." In fact, in the three oracles there is a very interesting progression of thought. There is dominance, advent, and then a picture that is something like a paradise in verses eleven and 5
Page 1 and 2: GENESIS Lesson 64 June 15, 1980 Gen
Page 3: which set him forth as the ancestor
Page 7 and 8: The opening clause, "the scepter sh
Page 9 and 10: Conclusion The passage, then, is a

Genesis 49:1-12 - Believers Chapel

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