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GENESIS 49–50; PSALM 25

Week 4, Day 2

Jacob’s last words to his sons are not only “a suitable blessing” (49:28) but also a prediction of “days to come” (49:1). The most interesting, of course, is the section on Judah (49:8-12). It is this tribe from which King David eventually comes, and it is this tribe that later gives its name to all that remains of the people of Israel. And especially, it is from this tribe that the Messiah, Jesus, comes. Themes are established here that will reappear even into the New Testament.

Joseph’s humane quality, his consistency of character, and his belief in God’s purposes come through magnificently both in his love for his father and in his generosity toward his brothers. Though Joseph had told them years before that they should not be distressed over the evil they had done to him because it was part of God’s purpose, nevertheless they are consumed with new fears now that their father is gone. They construct a story to convince Joseph, still not realizing that he needs no convincing. The shame of their long-ago deed still clouds their lives. After God and others have forgiven us, a harder task is to forgive ourselves.

“Am I in the place of God?” Joseph asks. Then, again, he reiterates what he said so long before: Though your intentions may have been for evil, “God intended it for good” (50:20).

That kind of faith gives all of life a quality of hope, dignity, and beauty.

PRAYER: Help me, O God, to believe that you can use even the darkest issues of life to my eventual good and to your honor. Amen.

What insights do you receive regarding the nature of guilt in the attitude of Joseph’s brothers?