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Summary

The web content provides a Bible study guide for Genesis 48–50, detailing Jacob's blessings to his sons and his death, as well as Joseph's embalming of Jacob and his eventual reassurance to his brothers.

Abstract

The Bible study guide for Day 029 covers the final chapters of Genesis, focusing on the patriarch Jacob's last acts and words. In Genesis 48, Jacob adopts Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, giving them an equal inheritance and predicting Ephraim's future greatness. Genesis 49 presents Jacob's blessings and prophecies for each of his sons, with notable blessings for Judah, from whom the ruler Jesus Christ will come, and for Joseph, who is promised prosperity. The guide also recounts Jacob's instructions to be buried in Canaan and his death at age 147. Moving to Genesis 50, the narrative describes Joseph's honoring of his father through embalming and his successful request to Pharaoh to bury Jacob in Canaan. After Jacob's burial, Joseph reassures his brothers that he harbors no ill will, recognizing that God turned their evil intentions into good. The guide concludes with Joseph's death at age 110 and his request to have his bones taken to Canaan when the Israelites leave Egypt.

Opinions

  • Jacob's act of adopting Manasseh and Ephraim as his own is seen as significant, granting them equal status with his other sons.
  • The blessings and prophecies given by Jacob to his sons are interpreted as divine insights into the future of the tribes of Israel.
  • Judah's blessing is considered particularly important due to its messianic implications, foretelling the lineage of Jesus Christ.
  • The curses placed on Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are viewed as consequences of their moral failings and actions.
  • Jacob's specific instructions for burial in Canaan demonstrate his enduring faith in the Promised Land and his desire to be part of that legacy.
  • Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers is presented as an example of faith and trust in God's sovereignty, turning past wrongs into a greater purpose.
  • The guide suggests that Joseph's request to have his bones taken to Canaan is a testament to his faith in God's promise to bring Israel back to the Promised Land.

Bible Study Guide Day 029: Genesis 48–50

I look for your deliverance, Lord.

Genesis 49:18

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Previous Day 028: Genesis 46–47

Genesis 48

Manasseh and Ephraim

Jacob is now on his deathbed, and Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to see their grandfather. Jacob tells Joseph that God Almighty appeared to him at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed him. Jacob then adopts Joseph’s two sons as his own, giving them equal inheritance among his other sons.

Joseph brings the boys and positions them in front of Jacob, with Manasseh the older on his right and Ephraim the younger on his left. But Jacob crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head and his left hand on Manasseh’s head. Joseph tries to correct him, but Jacob insists that Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh.

Jacob blesses Joseph, saying that God will bless him and his descendants. He also gives Joseph a portion of land in the promised land, which he took from the Amorites with his sword and bow.

Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash

Genesis 49

Jacob Blesses His Sons

On his deathbed, Jacob summons his sons and tells them what will happen to each of them in the future. Some receive blessings, while others receive curses.

Reuben, the firstborn, is told that he will not excel, for he had slept with his father’s concubine.

Simeon and Levi are also cursed because of their violent anger towards the Shechemites.

Judah receives a blessing, for he will become the ruler of his brothers and from him will come the ultimate ruler, Jesus Christ.

Zebulun will dwell by the sea, Issachar will be a strong donkey, Dan will be a serpent on the roadside, Gad will be attacked but overcome his attackers, and Asher will have rich food and produce royal delicacies.

Naphtali is described as a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

Joseph’s descendants receive a long blessing of prosperity and abundance.

Benjamin is described as a ravenous wolf who devours his prey in the morning and divides the spoils in the evening.

The Death of Jacob

Jacob instructs his sons to bury him in Canaan with Abraham and Isaac. After giving these blessings, Jacob dies at the age of 147.

Photo by Illiya Vjestica on Unsplash

Genesis 50

Joseph weeps over his father and directs his physicians to embalm him, a sign of honor and respect. Joseph then requests permission from Pharaoh to take his father’s body back to Canaan for burial. Pharaoh grants this request and even sends an official escort with them.

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

After the burial, Joseph’s brothers fear that he will seek revenge for their past actions against him. But Joseph reassures them that what they meant for evil, God used for good.

The Death of Joseph

After living in Egypt for 17 years, Joseph dies at the age of 110. He makes his brothers promise to take his bones back to Canaan when God delivers them from Egypt.

Next Day 030: Exodus 1–3

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