Day 18

Genesis 47:28-50:26

Jacob has lived a hard life, one that has followed the Lord and not followed the Lord. From the monument he was born it has been an uphill battle. At the end of his life he bestows blessings on all of his children. Some are good blessings, some are bad…. What makes a good blessing and what makes a bad blessing? Simeon and Levi are destined to violence, “……for in their anger the murder men, and cripple oxen just for sport,…..” Genesis 49:6

Judah on the other hand. He receives that blessing of a lifetime, 

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. “ Genesis 49:8-12

Judah is blessed beyond what we can imagine even though he had two sons that were so wicked that God took them off the face of the earth. 

This part of scripture teaches us that no matter what our ancestors did, no matter what we have done in the past the King of Kings has a plan for us. He will use all of our past experiences for his good. He will use all of our past decisions for his master plan.