Jacob is now 147 and has lived 17 years in Egypt after being reunited with Joseph, but now his eyes have failed and he is weak and dying. Torah and Yasher covers Jacob’s last words to his sons and grand-sons (his seed). Some of Jacob’s last words are blessings, some are rebukes, and some are instructions to his sons for after he is gone.
In Jacob’s last words to his grand-sons (who appear to be twins), and against the wishes of their father Joseph, he sets the younger over the elder. I believe that this is a shadow picture of the second born, spiritual man ruling over the first-born, man of the flesh which we find so often in the scriptures. Here are a few examples.
- Able replaces Cain
- Isaac replaces Ishmael as firstborn
- Jacob replaces Esau as firstborn
- Joseph replaces Reuben; Joseph received the “double blessing” which usually goes to the 1st born.
- Ephraim replaces Manasseh as firstborn
- Kohath replaces Gershon (Gen 46:11)
Ephraim and Manasseh learned the ways of Yehovah in the house of Jacob, and in Genesis 48 Jacob even seems to claim them as his own sons.
Yasher 55:35 Ephraim and Manasseh, remained constantly in the house of Jacob, together with the sons of the sons of Jacob their brethren, to learn the ways of Yehovah and his law.
And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. (Gen 48:5)
Why else would the twins be listed with Jacob’s sons and become the fathers of two of the twelve tribes who inherit land in Canaan?
In Genesis 49 Jacob’s last words are spoken over each of his sons; some receive blessings and others get a rebuke. Many seem to be prophetic in nature and some are a bit cryptic.
In all of Jacob’s last words, the ones that struck a nerve in me were the general instructions which he gave to all of his sons.
Jacob knew the prophecy that Abraham received concerning the 430 years that he and his seed would be in Egypt; and Jacob knows that there are still 193 years to go. His sons are in Egypt, yet he says these words.
Yasher 56:5 And he commanded them, saying, Serve Yehovah, your Elohim [your lawmaker and judge], for he who delivered your fathers will also deliver you from all trouble.
Wow, that reminds me of what Haman told king Ahasuerus.
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, AND THEY DO NOT KEEP THE KING’S LAWS. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. (Est 3:8)
This is how we, Yehovah called-out people, are to dwell right now; we dwell in heaven and everyone else dwells on earth. In the end, all who dwell on earth will perish from it; just like in the days of Noah.
Another of Jacob’s last words concerned the training of all his son’s seed (multi-generational sons). He said,
Yasher 56:9 Only teach thy sons the bow, and all the weapons of war, in order that they may fight the battles of their brother who will rule over his enemies.
Jacob gave instructions concerning where he was to be buried and how and by whom his bier was to be carried; so interesting that it was the exact way we were told by Yehovah to camp in the wilderness. More about that next time.
Jacob’s Last Words Were Spoken To His Sons
Yasher 56:19 And Jacob said unto his sons, So may Elohim be with you when you keep all his ways; turn not from his ways either to the right or the left in performing what is good and upright in his sight.
20 For I know that many and grievous troubles will befall you in the latter days in the land, yea your sons and son’s sons, only serve Yehovah and he will save you from all trouble.
21 And it shall come to pass when you shall go after Elohim to serve him and will teach your sons after you, and your son’s sons, to know Yehovah, then will Yehovah raise up unto you and your sons, a servant from amongst your sons, and Yehovah will deliver you through his hand from all affliction, and bring you out of Egypt and bring you back to the land of your fathers to inherit it securely.
22 And Jacob ceased commanding his sons, and he drew his feet into the bed, he died and was gathered to his people.
Oh my – this prophecy has both a short-term fulfillment as well as a long-term one. The short-term fulfillment is Moses, but the long-term fulfillment has yet to come. It concerns the 2nd great Exodus from Egypt in which Yehovah will use His servant, the male-child, the plural “he,” His servant – the 144,000 to deliver his people once again and then use them to claim the whole earth for Himself and them.
“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says Yehovah, “that it shall no more be said, ‘Yehovah lives who brought up Israel’s son/seed from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘Yehovah lives who brought up Israel’s son/seed from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers. Jer 16:14-15)
“Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says Yehovah, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As Yehovah lives who brought up Israel’s son/seed from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As Yehovah lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jer_23:7-8)
“You are My witnesses,” says Yehovah, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no Elohim formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am Yehovah, and besides Me there is no savior. (Isa 43:10-11)
So much to learn, so little time.
Jacob’s Last Words
2G50 – Genesis 47-49 and Yasher 55:19-36
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