Jan.17 - Genesis 49 - Exodus 1

Genesis ends with the incredible decree of future events for the sons of Jacob (Israel) and their tribes. As Jacob calls his sons together, he tell them - "I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come." Perhaps God gave Jacob some insight to this. However it happened, Jacob foretells a chilling prophecy concerning each of his 12 sons:

He begins with Reuben, his first-born. Unfortunately, the "blessings" to Reuben aren't very desirous. In fact, I'm sure Reuben cringed to hear his father say what would befall his tribe. By right of birth, he should have been elevated to a priestly eminence among the family, but his act of adultery (and other acts of cowardness) stole away this privilege at it went to his brother LEVI. By right of birth, Reuben should have been the lineage of royalty, but that went to his brother JUDAH! By right of birth, Reuben should have received the highest blessings from his father (which is always reserved for the firstborn child), but it went to JOSEPH!

Jacob pronounces a "scattering" of Simeon and Levi's tribe throughout Israel - which did happen once they entered the Promised Land. In fact, the tribe of Levi was to own no property at all, and they were to purposefully be scattered throughout the land of Israel for the Lord's work.

Judah is the tribe from which King David and eventually Jesus arises! Notice how Jacob states, "The scepter will not depart from Judah." God later offers King David this very same promise!

The highest blessing went to Joseph!

The last chapter of Genesis (the book of beginnings), describes the death of Jacob and the beginning of the fast-growing nation of Israel within the land of Egypt. Some 400 years pass by between Genesis 50 and Exodus 1. In Genesis, the outstanding man of God would be Abraham. In Exodus, the outstanding man of God would be Moses. The story of Moses' place of leadership is one of the most fascinating stories of the Bible. It shows the providential hand of God taking a lowly Hebrew baby pronounced to die to a place of honor in the very palace of the ruling Pharaoh of Egypt. As we go through these chapters in Exodus, you'll find Moses is a simple man who is afraid of completely yielding his life for God's service! How about you? Have you ever felt afraid of totally yielding your life to God for fear of what He might ask you to do? Are you able to say in prayer right now, "God, here's my life! Take it! Use it! Do with it anything you want to do with it! I give my life up for your service and for your glory! I am willing to sacrifice all I have for you!"? This is the place God where God wants us to be! Are you there yet? Are you willing to go there?

Tomorrow, we'll take a look at Moses' face-to-face encounter with God and he how tries to get out of the responsibility God calls him to do.