We have been studying the stories in Genesis that through them we learn who are God is. Why? How we live is determined by who our God is Background There are three deathbed scenes for Jacob: Joseph promises to bury Jacob in Caanan. Gen.47:28-31 Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons. Gen. 48:1-22 Israel speaks prophetically This is the first deathbed statements in the Bible This is the first prophecy given by a man Other prophecies came from God directly Observations 49:1 called his sons 49:2 listen to your father Israel was Jacob’s given name from indicating God’s relationship with Jacob. Here Jacob is prophesying from a covenantal perspective. Jacob is telling his sons what the future holds for each son and offspring. He starts by describing their life: Reuben Simeon & Levi , , Judah , The fruit of their & Reuben Simeon & Levi Judah So, we see in Israel’s prophecies the law of the harvest. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Ex. 20:5-6 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 Application What are you sowing to? The Flesh? The Spirit? Whatever your parents or grandparents sowed to in the flesh, you can break the cycle. What future do you want to leave your generations to come? Notes: