Thursday, February 15 – Genesis 49, 50 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 21, “Joseph and His Brothers”
1. Despite the affectionate words from his father, why didn’t Reuben receive the birthright? Genesis 49:2,3
2. Why were Simeon and Levi to be scattered in Israel? Genesis 49:6
3. How was it predicted that the Messiah would come from Judah? Genesis 49:10
4. Where was Jacob buried? Genesis 49:29,30
5. How many attended Jacob’s funeral? Genesis 50:7-10
6. What fear did Jacob’s sons have upon his death? Genesis 50:15
7. What request did Joseph make of his brothers? Genesis 50:24,25
8. How many years did Joseph live? Genesis 50:26
“The priesthood was apportioned to Levi, the kingdom and the Messianic promise to Judah, and the double portion of the inheritance to Joseph. The tribe of Reuben never rose to any eminence in Israel; it was not so numerous as Judah, Joseph, or Dan, and was among the first that were carried into captivity. Next in age to Reuben were Simeon and Levi. They had been united in their cruelty toward the Shechemites, and they had also been the most guilty in the selling of Joseph” PP 235
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Genesis 49:10
And finally, even in the negative, because of the oppression it caused to Israel, forced the people to put their hope in God and set their sights on the promised land. In other words, it convinced them that Egypt was not the territory for Israel. Caprice or conviction? When Jacob sees himself at the end of his life, he asks Joseph to take him out of Egypt and bury him in the burial place of his fathers. This was not the whim of a “dying old man” but an expression of his conviction in God’s firm promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 24:2).” CBMH
“Jacob interpreted God’s promise at Bethel as empowering him to adopt the sons of Joseph and give them the same status as his own children. Since God had promised the increase of his seed, and Canaan as their possession, he felt justified in granting to Ephraim and Manasseh each a share in the promised inheritance equal to that of his own sons. Thus “Joseph” would enjoy a double portion.” SDABC Genesis 48:5