This video is produced by the South Pacific Division Discipleship team.

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Read Genesis 49:1-28. What is the spiritual significance of Jacob’s blessing on his sons?

Beyond the prophecies concerning the immediate history of the tribes of Israel, Jacob sees the Messiah and the ultimate hope of salvation. This hope is already indicated in Jacob’s opening words that use the expression “in the last days” (Genesis 49:1), a technical expression that refers to the coming of the Messianic king (Isaiah 2:2, Daniel 10:14).

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The text then goes through the future line of each of these men. These are not predestinated fates, as if God willed that each of these would face what they faced; rather, they are expressions of what their characters and the character of their children would bring about. God’s knowing, for instance, that someone will kill an innocent man is a radically different thing from God’s having willed that the killer do it.

Read Genesis 49:8-12. What prophecy is given here, and why is it important?

Over and above human free will, God does know the future, and He had arranged that it would be through Judah that the Messiah would come. Judah (Genesis 49:8-12), who is represented by a lion (Genesis 49:9), refers to royalty and praise. Judah will produce King David, but also the Shiloh, that is, the one who will bring shalom, “peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7) to Him “shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 49:10, NKJV).

The Jews have long seen this as a Messianic prophecy pointing to the coming Messiah, and Christians, too, have seen this text as pointing to Jesus. “Unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10), which is, perhaps, a precursor to the New Testament promise “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10).

As Ellen G. White wrote: “The lion, king of the forest, is a fitting symbol of this tribe, from which came David, and the Son of David, Shiloh, the true ‘Lion of the tribe of Judah,’ to whom all powers shall finally bow and all nations render homage.” — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 236.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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As Jacob approaches death, he remembers his earlier return to Bethel (Genesis 35:1-15), when he received from God the renewed promise of the “everlasting possession” (Genesis 48:4) that was given to Abraham (Genesis 17:8). The hope of the Promised Land is, therefore, a comforting thought that nurtures his hope as he feels death coming. Jacob turns, then, to Joseph’s two sons, who were born in Egypt, and blesses them, but does so in the context of the future promise regarding his own seed.

Read Genesis 48:1-22. Why did Jacob bless Joseph’s two sons here, and not his other grandsons?

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Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, are the only grandsons that Jacob blessed. They are thus elevated from the status of grandsons to the status of sons (Genesis 48:5). Although Jacob’s blessing implies a preeminence of the second (Ephraim) over the first (Manasseh), Jacob’s blessing concerns essentially Joseph (Genesis 48:15).

What we see here is a personal testimony about God’s faithfulness to them in the past and His promise for them in the future. Jacob refers to the God of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 48:15), who had provided food and protection for them. It is the same God who “has redeemed me from all evil” (Genesis 48:16, NKJV). Jacob also has in mind “the God of Bethel” (Genesis 31:13), with whom he wrestled (Genesis 32:29) and who changed his name from Jacob to “Israel” (Genesis 32:26-29).

By referring to all these experiences where God turns the evil into good, Jacob expresses his hope that not only will God take care of the present lives of his grandsons, just as He did for him and Joseph, he also thinks of the future, when his descendants will return to Canaan. This hope is clear from his reference to Shechem (Genesis 48:22), which is not only a piece of land that he had acquired (Genesis 33:19) but also a place where Joseph’s bones will be buried (Joshua 24:32) and where the land will be distributed to the tribes of Israel (Joshua 24:1). Even amid all that has happened, Jacob kept in mind the promises of God, who said that through this family “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3, NKJV).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Key Thought: Even though Israel living in Egypt contrasts with the hope of the promised land, Joseph points to another place where God will bring them to the land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
June 25, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 47:23-26.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What spiritual truths and principles can we kind in Israel leaving the land of promise for Egypt?
3. Personal Application: What obligations does our faith place upon us in how we treat others? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why should we pay taxes if the government isn’t using our money correctly? Why should we pay tithe if the church isn’t using our money correctly?’” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 48:16-20..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why did Jacob bless Joseph’s two sons here, and not his other grandsons?
3. Personal Application: How have we ourselves received the blessings of Israel? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why did Israel mention the angel that redeemed him from all evil as the one to bless Joseph’s children? Who was this angel? Was Israel a prophet in predicting the history of the two sons by placing his right hand on the younger son?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis Genesis 49:1-28.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What prophecy is given here, and why is it important?
3. Personal Application: What involvement have you had in the future of your children and understanding of their character traits? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What is the significance of Jacob blessing each one of his sons in a different way?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 49:29-50:21.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why did it matter to Joseph where he was buried after he died?
3. Personal Application: With families being scattered all over the country and world, does it matter to you where you are buried when you die? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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The book of Genesis offers us so many vast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing
Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and 
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. The stories that follow creation will lean back toward our amazing God and what He has done for each of us in creation.

Once again it is hard to believe that a whole quarter of studies has rushed by and we are at the end of the lesson pamphlet.

It is beautiful to see that Jacob is able to be with Joseph once more, and in the story of this week, Jacob gives blessings to so many people. These blessings give us
Hymn 195 – There Shall Be Showers of Blessings. As the Sabbath afternoon introduction concludes, there is the great hope of the Promised Land just as there is in
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand.

Sunday’s study finished with a poignant question which is reflected in 
Hymn 202 – Tell It To Every Kindred and Nation showing 
The Wonders of Redeeming Love – Hymn 179 which shows “God’s plan to bring redemption”.

The story continues with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday bringing the word ‘hope’ to the fore: 
Hymn 214 – We Have This Hope. Wednesday reminds us in Phil. 2:10 that 
At the Name of Jesus – Hymn 232 every knee should bow”.

Thursday re-iterates the Hope of the Promised Land as does 
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand.

God’s abundant blessings as we now complete the study through the first book of the Bible which our gracious God has given. May we be faithful and all say “Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon” so we are able to go to our new home in Heaven, as 
We Have This Hope – Hymn 214.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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