Dreams From the Deathbed

INTRODUCTION:

Before I became the pastor of Broadview, Pastor David and myself were doing a funeral together. We had a interesting conversation on the way back from the graveside.

We were talking about how funerals put you face to face with death, clarifying what matters most in life.

Then he said, as a young dad and husband, I ought to occasionally imagine a world in which one of my children or spouse had died.

Letting your mind go there not only prepares you for an unspeakable level of grief. It also reprioritizes what’s important in the present.

You never know how much you love something until it’s gone.

We’re born. We live and then we die. It’s a day that can’t be avoided so it ought to be reckoned with whether we like it or not.

That’s why the song of Moses says, “teach me to number my days so that I might gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

As Stephen Covey said, “begin with the end in mind.”

If you could view your life through the lens of your deathbed would you take it?

Do you think there would be valuable information worth knowing today?

Of course, that’s true. That’s exactly what we see in the closing chapters of Genesis with the deathbed actions of Jacob.

Certain truths are more clearly seen through the lens of a deathbed perspective.

As they say, “hindsight is 20/20?”

That’s what I’d like to talk about this morning in Genesis 48-49.

Set the Table

For those who are new to the story this is the end of Jacob’s life and the previous 17 years had probably been the best years of his life.

His favorite son had been delivered from slavery and death and exalted to a position of great authority and influence.

Jospeh used that influence to save Egypt from the famine and save his family from a certain death in Canaan.

In Genesis 48, the famine had come to an end and Jacob is preparing himself to leave this world. Before he goes he strengthens himself to perform his final acts as the patriarch.

The first two verses set the scene.

Genesis 48:1–2 CSB

1 Some time after this, Joseph was told, “Your father is weaker.” So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

Ephraim and Manasseh are the two children that were born to him while ruling under Pharaoh in Egypt.

He was given an Egyptian wife (Asenath) and together they had two children. (Gen 46:20; 41:50)

Both boys were born before the famine in Egypt started so they’re somewhere between mid-teens to early 20’s.

They’ve grown up with grandpa being around so this would’ve been hard them for them to see.

Jacob had mustered up the necessary strength to sit up in bed and now he’s about to change their lives forever.

Jacob can see things from his deathbed he had never seen so clearly before.

Things about the past.

Things about the present.

Things about the future.

PAST REFLECTIONS

Let’s continue the passage and read down to verse 12.

Genesis 48:3–4 CSB

3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. 4 He said to me, ‘I will make you fruitful and numerous; I will make many nations come from you, and I will give this land as a permanent possession to your future descendants.’

A deathbed perspective changes the way we remember on the past.

Jacob begin his discussion as most old grandpa’s do. “Back when I was a boy…”

But it’s not just another story from an old man grateful to have some company.

The encounter with God at Luz was the first encounter Jacob had with God after leaving his family to escape from his brother.

He had conspired with his mother to deceive his own Father and take Esau’s blessing by pretending to Esau when he wasn’t.

There was wrong doing on every end of that particular event. Jacob’s sin, however, didn’t preclude God from establishing a covenant on that day. (Gen 28:10-22)

Dreaming about a staircase to heaven, Jacob received the same covenant that God had given Abraham and Isaac before him. (Gen 28:13-15)

I will give you and your offspring this land.

They will be like the dust of the earth (spread out WENS)

All peoples will be blessed through you/your offspring.

I will be with you.

I will watch over you wherever you go.

I will bring you back to this land.

I will not leave you until I have done what I promised.

God honored that covenant at every step on Jacob’s journey. As Jacob will say later, “God has been my shepherd.”

And the Lord was a shepherd to Jacob through some very rough patches. Jacob was not a godly man for even a majority of his adult life.

Which means the covenants of God are covenants of GRACE.

They have blessings and curses that correspond to our actions but the covenant relationship is established by GRACE.

Even when we are faithless, God is faithful still.

Chosen by God

Jacob is looking back on this moment and saying, “Despite all of my sin, the LORD still chose me.”

That’s one of clearest things you’ll see when you look at your life from a deathbed perspective.

While I was weak, when I was running from God - though I didn’t even deserve it. God still chose me. He pursued me.

“He chases me down, fights till I’m found, leaves the 99. I don’t deserve it. I cannot earn it. Oh the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God.”

The reason I think such a truth is on Jacob’s mind is because of what he does next.

Because he chosen and adopted by grace, he’s wants to do the same thing for Jospeh’s two sons. (Even though as half-Egyptian grandkids they had no legal right to it)

Genesis 48:5–6 CSB

5 Your two sons born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt are now mine. Ephraim and Manasseh belong to me just as Reuben and Simeon do. 6 Children born to you after them will be yours and will be recorded under the names of their brothers with regard to their inheritance.

Reuben and Simeon were the first two sons born to Jacob. Reuben as firstborn would’ve had even greater rights to the family inheritance.

Now Ephraim and Manasseh become partakers of the same. They didn’t earn it. They didn’t deserve it. It was a gift of free grace because of Jacob’ chose to give it.

Adoption is one of the clearest pictures of God’s sacrificing, never-ending, always abounding love.

Comforted By God

But that’s not the only thing Jacob sees as he reflects on the past. He also looks back and remembers something else about God.

Genesis 48:7 CSB

7 When I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way, some distance from Ephrath in the land of Canaan. I buried her there along the way to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).

When you look at life from the perspective of your deathbed you more clearly see…

Despite all of my sorrow, the LORD still comforted me.

Remember Rachel was the one for whom Jacob worked 7 years for no pay. After being tricked by his uncle Laban and given the ugly sister instead, he worked an additional 7 years just to have Rachel as well.

The greater you love someone the more deeply you grieve whenever they’re gone. (I couldn’t imagine losing Audra or one of the kids)

Jacob isn’t looking back on a hypothetical but a historical event that radically altered his life . Even so - he says - the LORD was my comforter.

We buried her in Ephrarth and the LORD has been faithful.

Kept by God

Then he continues with one more example. Genesis 48:8-12

Genesis 48:8–12 CSB

8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” 9 And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons God has given me here.” So Israel said, “Bring them to me and I will bless them.” 10 Now his eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought them to him, and he kissed and embraced them. 11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, but now God has even let me see your offspring.” 12 Then Joseph took them from his father’s knees and bowed with his face to the ground.

Not only did the LORD comfort him in seasons of sorrow.

Despite all of my suffering, “the LORD still kept me.”

It’s usually only in hindsight that we can look back at our suffering and see how God’s hand was in it.

In the moment it feels random, capricious and even vindictive. But that’s never the intention of God in our pain.

He never wastes an ounce of our pain. We’re strengthened by his grace and carried along by his mercy.

Jacob sees how God sovereignly worked through ALL of his suffering to greatly surpass what he even imagined was possible. Such you will also see from a deathbed perspective.

PRESENT RESPONSE

After finishing his story, he asks Jospeh to bring the two boys close to his face. He wants to issue a blessing before he dies.

This was a BIG DEAL in the ancient world. The words of a patriarch had the power to set the trajectory of someone for better or worse. (see Abraham and Isaac)

As you might imagine Jospeh is eager to allow it and is so greatly humbled that he bows down in worship.

What Jacob does next shows us the next change a deathbed perspective can make.

It also changes the way you respond to the present.

Genesis 48:13–20 CSB

13 Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right—and brought them to Israel. 14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger, and crossing his hands, put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 Then he blessed Joseph and said: The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may he bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow to be numerous within the land. 17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he thought it was a mistake and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. 18 Joseph said to his father, “Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know! He too will become a tribe, and he too will be great; nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation.” 20 So he blessed them that day, putting Ephraim before Manasseh when he said, “The nation Israel will invoke blessings by you, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ ”

Purpose Over Precedent

Can you imagine if you were Joseph? What about Ephraim? What about Manasseh?

His whole life he had probably been told about the responsibility of the first born and waited for the blessing that came with it.

Then, in one fell swoop everything changes. They’re adopted by grandpa and he switches the terms of the deal.

But Jacob can see from his deathbed what he was unable to see so much earlier in life.

Sometimes it’s God’s will to choose the unlikely and the undeserving when advancing the purpose of God.

Because when that kind of person is chosen then God gets all the glory.

A deathbed perspective can help you prioritize God’s purpose over human precedent.

We have all kinds of human precedents we deal with today and how many of those are subtle attacks on what God really wants for our life?

Sometimes it’s not until you’re able to get out from underneath the here and the now that you have the needed clarity to see what God wants.

One of the most common things we say in the church is, “We’ve never done it that way before.” What if that kind of mindset was keeping us from what God wants next?

What if you’re assumptions are in opposition to God and what he wants to do in and through your life.

Don’t let human tradition thwart the plan of God for the future.

Promise Over Privilege

Verses 21-22 show us one more example of how we respond in the present.

Jacob explains to Joseph how his own inheritance is over and above his brothers.

Genesis 48:21–22 CSB

21 Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. 22 Over and above what I am giving your brothers, I am giving you the one mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”

The word translated “mountain slope” is literally the Hebrew word for Schechem.

Shechem was the place where Simeon and Levi’s avenged the rape of their sister Dinah by murdering every male in the region as they recovered from a rite of circumcision.

Scholars debate whether that’s the mountain slope in mind because they were Hivites not Amorites and Jacob never fought.

It might be prophetic about a future victory. Or it might’ve referenced a past battle not mentioned in Genesis.

The point is Joseph would be required to put God’s promise over his personal privilege.

As second in command in Egypt it would’ve been very tempting for Joseph to take advantage of that influence to set future generations up with great wealth and power.

Jacob is saying from his deathbed - remain committed to God’s covenant. He has been faithful to us and I’m asking you to join me and your brothers in remaining faithful to him.

FUTURE REVELATION

Having established the blessing of Joseph and his sons, he now turns to a prophetic announcement for the rest of his sons.

Genesis 49 is one of the most fascinating chapters in all of Genesis because historical events are spoken of before they actually happen.

Did this historical events happen because of Jacob’s words or were Jacob’s words prophetic because he so intimately knew his sons.

People have offered solutions to his problem from various perspectives but taken at face value it does show us an additional truth.

A deathbed perspective doesn’t just change the way you think about the past and the present.

A death bed perspective will change what God reveals about the future.

The Wicked Rebuked

Let’s pick it up in verse one and work our way through each of the 12 sons.

Genesis 49:1–2 CSB

1 Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come. 2 Come together and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel:

For the sake of clarity I’m going to place the prophecies for all 12 under seven different headings.

The first group is described in verses 1-7.

Reuben

Genesis 49:3 CSB

3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power.

Reuben was probably thinking, “Let’s go! I’m loving this family chat.”

But Ruben had a dark secret he’d been trying to atone for ever since it happened.

Jacob knew about that act but perhaps had never done anything about it.

What was covered up for years is about to be announced from the rooftops.

Genesis 49:4 CSB

4 Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed.

Jacob is talking about an incident that happened after his true love Rachel died.

Because Jacob favored Rachel over Leah (Reuben’s mom) he went and slept with Rachel’s maidservant (Bilhah). (Gen 35:22)

My guess is Reuben did this to defile Bilhah so Jacob would no longer desire her and choose Leah (Reuben’s mom) instead.

Whatever his motivations the wickedness is being rebuked.

Reuben was “prominent and powerful” but was unstable in his character. As a result he wasn’t going to flourish.

Simeon & Levi

From Reuben he moves on to Simeon and Levi. Genesis 49:5-7

Genesis 49:5–7 CSB

5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons. 6 May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For in their anger they kill men, and on a whim they hamstring oxen. 7 Their anger is cursed, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is cruel! I will disperse them throughout Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.

Simeon and Levi would likewise be “dispersed throughout Jacob and scattered throughout Israel.” Why? Because in their rage they killed people.

They were so calloused that they would hamstring oxen just for fun. (watch out if your kid likes to torture animals!)

There are consequences for wicked actions and a deathbed perspective helps you see that clearly.

In the future, the wicked will be rebuked.

Historically that’s exactly what happened to each of these tribes.

Reuben forfeited his preeminence and influence. Though his descendents were numerous, they never produced significant leaders or kings.

Increasingly apathetic, they failed to help Israel when needed the most. (Numbers 32:1; Deut 33:6; Judges 5:15-16)

Simeon and Levi were indeed scattered throughout Israel. The tribes of Simeon had to share their land inheritance with Judah and his descendents. (Joshua 19:1-9)

The tribes of Levi were also scattered but God redeemed them in their discipline and called them to a priestly service in the land of Israel. As such, they had NO land inheritance. (Deut 10:8-9)

Righteous Reward

After addressing the fate of Reuben, Levi and Simeon the focus turns to the youngest son of Leah, Jacob’s fourth child: Judah.

The name Judah means praise. He received that name because it was his birth that liberated Leah to find her joy in God instead of the love/approval of her husband.

Genesis 49:8–12 CSB

8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9 Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him. 11 He ties his donkey to a vine, and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

Unlike his brothers, Judah receives no rebuke. Next to Joseph, his prophetic blessing is longer than any of the rest.

He’s likened to a lion.

He’s given a promise of Kingship.

His reign extends until the coming of Messiah.

A deathbed perspective clarifies “the righteous will one day reign.”

If you read the rest of the OT you discover that Israel’s kingly line comes from the tribe of Judah.

This is the line through whom King David comes. The ultimate king - and greater David - is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 5:5 refers to him as the Lion from the tribe of Judah (appealing to this prophecy) and of his reign there will be no end. (2 Sam 7:16)

The Strong Resisted

After this juxtaposition between the wicked and the righteous, Jacob addresses the last two boys who were mothered by Leah: Issachar and Zebulun.

Genesis 49:13–15 CSB

13 Zebulun will live by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships, and his territory will be next to Sidon. 14 Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags. 15 He saw that his resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, so he leaned his shoulder to bear a load and became a forced laborer.

Zebulun and Issachar

Zebulun is nether rebuked nor commended. There is merely a prophecy about where his tribe will dwell: by the sea as a harbor for ships.

Historically, Zebulun’s descendents never lived by the seashore. Being so close to the major trade routes, however, they did interact with many seafaring people. (Joshua 19:10-16)

Whereas the tribe of Reuben failed to offer help when needed, Zebulun was willing to fight. (Judges 5:18)

Issachar is described as a “strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags.” As such, they had a preference for peace and prosperity over political power and conquest.

Nevertheless, the prosperity they established required courage and strength to defend. When called upon to fight Issachar did so as valiant warriors. (1 Chronicles 7:5)

In both cases, a deathbed perspective shows the strong will be resisted.

Relentless Enemy

This theme of resistance is increased even more with the description of the next two sons.

Both of these boys are first borns sons of Jacob: Dan from Rachels maidservant (Bilhah) and Gad from Leah’s maidservant. (Zilpah)

Tribe of Dan

First let’s examine what Jacob says to Dan.

Genesis 49:16–17 CSB

16 Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Dan will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward.

The tribe of Dan produced many great judges in Israel. One of the most famous is a man named Sampson who was the strongest man who ever lived. (Judges 13-16)

Samson’s life is a perfect summation of Jacob’s prophecy over Dan. He served as a judge and was a serpent by the way.

As judge, he was a man of intense physical strength but the attacks on him were relentless.

Eventually the enemy exploited his moral weaknesses and Samson’s legacy was destroyed as he met an early demise. (Judges 16:29-30)

Later on the tribe of Dan became an even greater stumbling block. They produced an illegitimate priesthood which opened Israel up to various forms of idolatry. (Judges 18:14-31) They later declined in prominence and influence. (Not even listed in Revelation 7)

Physically and spiritually, the tribe of Dan was relentlessly attacked by enemies.

Tribe of Gad

The same is said Zilpah’s firstborn Gad.

Genesis 49:19 CSB

19 Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.

Historically, Gad’s land inheritance was on the east side of Israel’s borders. As you might imagine this opened them up to constant attack. (1 Chronicles 5:18-22)

As a result of the enemies relentless opposition they gained a reputation for great courage and valor.

From the position of his deathbed Jacob can see “my son’s strength will be resisted and the enemy will be relentless.”

Only through courage and bravery would the purposes of God prevail.

Overlooked Remembered

Following the first born of either maidservant Moses now changes the birth order again.

He does this on purpose I believe to put the most marginalized sons of Jacob at the very center of the prophecy.

Genesis 49:20–21 CSB

20 Asher’s food will be rich, and he will produce royal delicacies. 21 Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

This commendation of tribes that were most socially alienated is a beautiful reminder that the Kingdom of God is unlike any other kingdom.

In the future of God’s kingdom the overlooked will be remembered.

Each of these two tribes are elevated and enriched. Their influence grew as did their role in Israel’s history.

The least important becomes the MOST blessed of all the sons. (Deut 33:24-25)

Asher oversees some of the most fertile land in Israel producing great agricultural wealth for the nation. (Deut 33:24-25)

Likewise Naphtali provides significant support as Israel tries to defend itself from the enemy. (Judges 4:6-10) Despite the marginalization they embodied courage and strength.

Afflicted Redeemed

Following the outcast and marginalized comes another blessing for Jospeh.

Moses ends on the two sons of his favorite wife Rachel but devotes most of the ink to his favorite firstborn, Joseph.

Genesis 49:22–26 CSB

22 Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches climb over the wall. 23 The archers attacked him, shot at him, and were hostile toward him. 24 Yet his bow remained steady, and his strong arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25 by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, and blessings of the breasts and the womb. 26 The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the ancient hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Jospeh is described as a fruitful vine that flourishes despite affliction.

Jospeh’s descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh became two very influential tribes. Jospeh’s life of faithfulness and endurance blessed future generations. (Deut 33:13-17)

In the future the afflicted will be restored.

God remembers those who suffer faithfully, turning their affliction into a blessing. Joseph’s legacy demonstrates that truth. His descendants grow in fruitfulness and influence.

Warriors Rest

Finally the last prophecy is given to Jacob’s youngest, Benjamin 2nd born of Rachel.

Genesis 49:27–28 CSB

27 Benjamin is a wolf; he tears his prey. In the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder.” 28 These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

Like most youngest sons - Benjamin is fierce and zealous.

The imagery of a wolf conveys intensity in warfare and that’s exactly what his tribe produced.

Guys like Benjamin are either your best friend or your worst enemy. The kind of man you want fighting with you not fighting against you.

Warriors and leaders like King Saul or even the Apostle Paul all come from the tribe of Benjamin. (Judges 20:14-16; 1 Samuel 9)

The promise for these warriors is there was coming a day when the fighting would finally cease and the plunder would be divided.

The Lord My Redeemer

If you were paying attention you’ll notice I skipped one verse at the very middle of Jacob’s prophecy. It’s placed after the first six sons and before the next six.

It’s right in the middle for a reason. It’s a statement of confident faith that whatever the future holds we must wait for God’s salvation.

Genesis 49:18 CSB

18 I wait for your salvation, Lord.

In your notes I’ve phrased it “The LORD will be my redeemer.”

The reason is because the Hebrew word translated salvation is actually the word Jeshua.

Transliterated it’s where we get the English word Jesus.

At the very center of God’s future promise to Israel is the coming of Jesus to bring redemption to God’s people.

If you think about it, it’s actually BECAUSE of Jesus that all of these future promises are ultimately true.

In Jesus the …

wicked will be rebuked.

righteous will one day reign.

strong will overcome resistance.

enemy will be relentless

overlooked will be rescued

afflicted will be remembered

warrior will finally rest.

All of these promises are yes and amen in Jesus because he came, lived, died and was raised.

As we take the LORD’s supper let us remember these things and offer ourselves up in worship before the LORD.

Not only should we see the world from our deathbed. We should even more clearly see the world when we look from the death bed of Jesus.

His death on the cross changes the way we remember our past.

It changes the way we respond to the present.

And it will forever change the way we think about the future. Our salvation will surely come!