Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

the mercy and loving-kindness of God, who had been with Jacob
throughout his pilgrimage.
All the sons of Jacob were gathered around his death bed. "And
Jacob called his sons and said, 'Gather together, that I may tell you
what shall befall you in the last days.'"
Jacob Foretells the Future of His Sons
The Spirit of Inspiration rested on him, and in prophetic vision
the future of his descendants was unfolded before him. One after
another the names of his sons were mentioned, the character of each
was described, and the future history of the tribe was briefly
foretold.
"Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of
my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power."
But Reuben's terrible sin at Edar had made him unworthy of the
birthright blessing. Jacob continued,
"Unstable as water, you shall not excel."
The priesthood was given to Levi, the kingdom and the
Messianic promise to Judah, and the double portion of the
inheritance to Joseph. The tribe of Reuben never rose to any
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