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¹³ “Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon.” (Genesis 49:13 (ESV)

Zebulun was the sixth eldest son of Jacob. Jacob’s fifth eldest son born by Leah was Issachar.  Jacob’s blessing of Issachar followed his blessing upon Zebulun. No reason is given as to why Jacob blessed these two sons in reverse order of their birth.

Zebulun was the sixth and last son borne to Jacob by Leah, who named the boy Zebulun, meaning “abode and, dwelling.” Jacob indicated that Zebulun, along with the tribe who would bear the name, would dwell at the shore of the sea. The reference to the sea would be the Mediterranean Sea. The Tribe of Zebulun would be enriched by seaborne trade (though the tribe did not actually border the Mediterranean (Josh. 19:10–11).

One commentator writes, “Zebulun would live by the seashore toward Sidon. This tribe would be a haven for ships (Gen. 49:13). The tribe of Zebulun was not actually given an inheritance on the coast. Apparently the meaning of the prediction is that this tribe would have direct access to the sea and would enjoy the abundance of sea commerce.”

It is interesting to note that Jacob did not say anything positive or negative about this son. However, in Deuteronomy 33:18-19, Moses recorded words of commendation regarding the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar.

One author writes, “In Deuteronomy 31 Moses was the statesman, and in chapter 32 the singer; now in chapter 33 he is the seer. Like Jacob in Genesis 49, Moses looked into the future of the tribes. He assumed the role of a father to the tribes in these verses. While the tribal oracles in Genesis 49 contain judgmental elements, here the thrust is almost entirely positive.”

Deuteronomy 33:18–19 (ESV) says, “¹⁸ And of Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents. ¹⁹ They shall call peoples to their mountain; there they offer right sacrifices; for they draw from the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”

Moses’ reference to right sacrifices meant that Zebulun’s offerings to God were righteous and honest. In other words, the tribe’s sacrifices to God were correct and done in the right way. This was a commendable statement by Moses on behalf of the Tribe of Zebulun.

What practical application may we make concerning Jacob’s son Zebulun? First, he was one who did not stand out in the crowd. His other brothers overshadowed him. Second, at times he went along with the crowd in doing what was not right (Gen. 37). Third, although not the most prosperous (Deut. 33:6), Zebulun, and the subsequent tribe, became consistent and true worshipers of Yahweh (Deut. 33:19).

Many of us will never stand out in the crowd. Most of us will be like a Zebulun. It is okay if we never achieve notoriety. God knows us and that is what is important. May we continue to live for the LORD, even in relative obscurity, just like Zebulun along with many others.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁸  “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. ⁹ 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? ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ 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. ¹² His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:8–12 (ESV)

Immediately following Jacob’s oracle toward Reuben, Simeon and Levi, the patriarch then turned his attention to his fourth eldest son: Judah. Jacob had much to say to Judah. Therefore, it will take us several days to unpack today’s text.

To begin with, Jacob told Judah that his brothers would praise him. This would be an ongoing public expression of thanksgiving. A wordplay was used here because the name Judah means “praise” (Gen. 29:35). Secondly, Jacob likened Judah to a lion’s cub. The lion would become an iconic image for not only Judah, but also for the tribe bearing his name.

Thirdly, Jacob used the images of a foal, donkey, a vine and its grapes. What do these images, and others, represent? These imageries foreshadow the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ (Rev. 20:1-6). The 1,000 year reign of Christ will be one of abundance and prosperity.

One commentator writes, “For Judah, grapevines will be so abundant that they will be used for hitching posts; wine will be as abundant as wash water. In Judah, people’s eyes will be red or bright from wine and their teeth will be white from drinking much milk. These are picturesque ways of describing the suitability of Judah’s territory for vineyards. Such opulence will be evident in the Millennium (Isa. 61:6–7; 65:21–25; Zech. 3:10).”

Matthew Henry writes, “Many excellent pens have been admirable well employed in explaining and illustrating this famous prophecy of Christ. It should be a very fruitful tribe, especially that it should abound with milk for babes, and wine to make glad the heart of strong men (v. 11, 12)—vines so common in the hedge-rows and so strong that they should tie their asses to them, and so fruitful that they should load their asses from them—wine as plentiful as water, so that the men of that tribe should be very healthful and lively, their eyes brisk and sparkling, their teeth white. Much of what is here said concerning Judah is to be applied to our Lord Jesus.”

So encouraged to know that this fallen world is ultimately not the eternal home for the believer in Christ. Christ’s rule and reign will eternally be fulfilled when He returns to earth in power, might and glory.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁸  “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. ⁹ 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? ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ 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. ¹² His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:8–12 (ESV)

Immediately following Jacob’s oracle toward Reuben, Simeon and Levi, the patriarch then turned his attention to his fourth eldest son: Judah. Jacob had much to say to Judah. Therefore, it will take us several days to unpack today’s text.

To begin with, Jacob told Judah that his brothers would praise him. This would be an ongoing public expression of thanksgiving. A wordplay was used here because the name Judah means “praise” (Gen. 29:35).

Secondly, Jacob likened Judah to a lion’s cub. The lion would become an iconic image for not only Judah, but also for the tribe bearing his name.

Additionally, the image of the lion would translate into Judah becoming the kingly tribe of Israel. Jacob indicated that the scepter, the staff and rod of a king, would never leave Judah. Consequently, tribute and obedience would be given to Judah and his progeny.

However, Jacob’s oracle point to a greater king to come. The greater king would be known as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. This would be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 5:1-5).

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains, “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is a title of the Messiah that appears only in Revelation 5:5: “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has conquered” (nlt). This is an allusion to the messianic promise of Genesis 49:9–10, “Judah is a young lion.… The scepter will not depart from Judah” (nlt). The expression summarizes the OT hope that the Messiah would come as a conquering hero, delivering his people from every form of spiritual, political, and social evil. The OT frequently employs the lion as a symbol of power and the complete ability to subdue one’s enemies (Job 10:16; Ps. 10:9; Ezek. 1:10; Dan. 7:1–4). The author of Revelation expressed the belief of all Christians—that Christ is the deliverer who would defeat all the powers of evil. However, in contrast to the OT hope, the deliverer comes not as the conquering Lion of military power, but rather as the Lamb, who suffers and is sacrificed for the sins of his people (Rev. 5:6).”

Matthew Henry writes, “God was praised for him (Gen. 29:35), praised by him, and praised in him; and therefore his brethren shall praise him. Those that are to God for a praise shall be the praise of their brethren.”

May each of us in Christ find our praise by God, praise in God resulting in praise and honor from fellow believers to the glory of God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁸  “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. ⁹ 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? ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ 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. ¹² His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:8–12 (ESV)

Immediately following Jacob’s oracle toward Reuben, Simeon and Levi, the patriarch then turned his attention to his fourth eldest son: Judah. Jacob had much to say to Judah. Therefore, it will take us several days to unpack today’s text.

To begin with, Jacob told Judah that his brothers would praise him. This would be an ongoing public expression of thanksgiving. A wordplay was used here because the name Judah means “praise” (Gen. 29:35).

Judah’s brothers, including their descendants, would not only worship him, but he would also have victory over the enemies of Israel. This coincides with Jacob’s expression “your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies.” What does this mean?

One commentator explains, “The expression “your hand on the neck of your enemies” was a token of superiority and triumph. Job makes use of a similar metaphor when he represents God as taking him by the neck and shaking him: “He seized me by the neck and crushed me” (Job 16:12). David wrote, “Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me” (2 Samuel 22:41, KJV). The implication of the expression is much like the later action of victorious soldiers putting their feet on the necks of their enemies: “When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, ‘Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.’ So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks” (Joshua 10:24).”

The Tribe of Judah would be superior to the rest of the tribes; not only more numerous and illustrious, but having a dominion over them. Judah was the lawgiver (Ps. 60:7). That tribe led the caravan through the wilderness, and in the conquest of Canaan (Judges 1:2).

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “Recall that Judah sinned grievously when he led the sale of Joseph into Egyptian slavery (Gen. 37:12–28). Later on, he wickedly failed to provide a husband and thus an heir and provider to his daughter-in-law, Tamar (Gen.38:1–23; Deut. 25:5–10). Were this the end of his story, Judah would have lost the greatest portion of Jacob’s favor as well. However, Judah showed himself sensitive to the Spirit when he confessed his evil deeds concerning Tamar (Gen. 38:24–26). Judah’s repentance bore its fullest fruit later on when he offered to sacrifice himself and take Benjamin’s place as Joseph’s slave (Gen. 44). Judah inherits the firstborn’s rights because of his selflessness. Jacob declares in today’s passage that Judah’s brothers will praise Him and that he will have his hand “on the neck” of his enemies (49:8). In other words, Judah will triumph over his foes. Jacob’s other sons will also bow to Judah, according to the same verse.”  

Jacob’s prophecy would ultimately be fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Judah sought exaltation but was humbled. When Judah humbled himself, God exalted him. True humility, evidence by Christ (Phil. 2:5-11), results in exaltation.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵  “Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. ⁶ Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. ⁷Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:5–7 (ESV)

After blessing his eldest son Reuben, Jacob then blessed the next two eldest sons: Simeon and Levi. However, whereas Jacob balanced blessings with judgment regarding Reuben. He had no such balance with the next two sons. Jacob’s oracle toward Simeon and Levi was solely one of condemnation.

Jacob identified his sons with the phrase, “weapons of violence are their swords” In other words, Simeon and Levi were violent men whose plans and possessions resulted in destruction. The references to violence and killing was a remembrance of the sign and seal of circumcision to exact revenge upon the Shechemites for violating their sister Dinah (Gen. 34).

Second, Jacob personally stated that he did not want to be a part of their schemes or their purposes. He did not want his wealth, honor and reputation to be in any way associated or united with them.

Third, Jacob reasoned that the Simeon’s and Levi’s violent nature was due to their anger and wrath. The word anger pertains to their facial expressions and even their intense breathing. The word wrath refers to the pleasure they experienced when they attacked. Jacob also said their anger was fierce or intense while their wrath was severe and stubborn.

Jacob heralded a curse upon these two sons. As they brought harm and injury to others, their father prayed that the LORD would bring injury and harm upon them. Jacob promised them that he would divide and disperse their progeny in the land of Israel.

On author explains, “As expected, Jacob’s words would come true in the history of the nation of Israel. Simeon is the only tribe Moses does not bless in Deuteronomy 33, and he is given only a select number of cities in Judah’s territory (Josh. 19:1–9). The tribe of Judah eventually absorbs the Simeonites, and they disappear from history.  Levi is also scattered throughout Israel, but his tribe fares better in the history of redemption. Moses, a son of Levi (Ex. 2:1–10), later mediates the old covenant. Moreover, God would choose the Levites to be His priests (Num. 3:5–13), restoring honor to these displaced sons of Jacob.”

 John Calvin writes that God’s “incredible goodness unexpectedly shone forth, when that which was the punishment of Levi became changed into the reward of the priesthood.”

Throughout redemptive history, God extends His grace to even the worse of sinners (I Tim. 1:12-15). It is through His sovereign grace alone, by God given faith alone, and through the person and work of Jesus Christ alone that God delivers any sinner from the penalty, power and eventual presence of the consequences of their sin.

May each of us today thank the LORD for His amazing grace toward sinners deserving of His wrath (Rom. 1:18; Eph. 2:1-3). Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!   

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2022. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Nine. Of The Lord’s Supper. Part Four.

7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament,^a do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are, to their outward senses.^b

a. 1 Cor 11:28. • b. 1 Cor 10:16.

8. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby; but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are they unworthy of the Lord’s table, and cannot, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries,^a or be admitted thereunto.^b

a. 1 Cor 11:27-29; 2 Cor 6:14-16. • b. Mat 7:6; 1 Cor 5:6-7, 13; 2 Thes 3:6, 14-15.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

³  “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. ⁴ Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!” (Genesis 49:3–4 (ESV)

Jacob’s evaluation of his firstborn son, Reuben, involved not only blessings but also judgments. Jacob mentioned Reuben’s admirable qualities first and then concluded with his liabilities.

The prophecies concerning Reuben, Simeon and Levi refer to punishment for their crimes. Their sins would impact their future generations. There are no animal comparisons given regarding the three elder brothers. .  

Jacob acknowledged Reuben to be his first born. It must be noted that a firstborn son’s inheritance could never be revoked arbitrarily by a father’s whim. However, changes in the inheritance could be made if the son in question committed sexual sins against the family.

Jacob call Reuben his might. This refered to power, strength and ability. Every indication in Scripture is that Reuben was a physically strong man. He also possessed preeminent dignity or exaltation along with preeminent power. Reuben was a great force to be reckoned.

Yet, in spite of these admirable qualities, or perhaps because of them, Jacob compared Reuben to the instability, recklessness and turbulence of foamy water. Reuben would no longer maintain his preeminence. This was directly the result of Reuben’s sinful sexual behavior years before with Jacob’s concubine (Gen. 29:32; 35:22).

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “Reuben likely expects to receive a double portion of his father’s blessing (Deut. 21:15–17). Reuben’s chest probably swells with pride as his father begins to prophesy over him to commend his preeminence in power and dignity (Gen. 49:3).  However, Reuben’s bubble soon bursts when his father revokes these privileges. Reuben may have an advantage according to the world, but no such benefit is present in God’s eyes. Until now, Jacob has said nothing about his eldest son’s sin with his surrogate wife Bilhah (Gen. 35:22). But silence does not indicate Jacob’s ignorance, for this violation costs Reuben his place of prominence (Gen. 49:4). With his sin, Reuben has shown himself to be unstable as water, slippery in his character. Unsteady in righteousness and wisdom (see also 42:37), Reuben has forfeited his rightful place as the family’s leader.”

It should be noted that no prophet, judge or king descended from Reuben. Instability, rather than strength of character, was demonstrated by Reuben’s descendants (Judges 4:1-5:16). Reuben and his family reaped the consequences of his sin.

Galatians 6:7–8 (ESV) says, “⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ 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.”

May we all observe the lessons God teaches in the life and legacy of Reuben. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come. ² “Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.”  (Genesis 49:1–2 (ESV)

Following Jacob’s blessing upon Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, he then proceeded to bless his other sons. Jacob summoned them so he could prophecy what would happen to them, and their progeny, in the future. Rather than taking upon himself the role of a fortune teller or one conducting a psychic reading, Jacob heralded a divine oracle from God. This divine revelation would contain elements not only of blessings but also of judgments.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The blessings of the inspired patriarch prophesy the fate of the twelve tribes descended from his sons, mostly by means of wordplays on their names or comparisons to animals. The names and actions (good or bad) of the twelve sons portend the destiny of the tribes. These prophetic blessings at the end of the patriarchal era are arranged according to their mothers –Leah’s six sons (vv.3-15), the handmaids’ four (vv.16-21) and Rachel’s two (vs. 22-27—exhibit God’s sovereignty over the nation. These blessings will be expanded in the parallel final blessing of Moses upon Israel that is given on the threshold of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land (Deut. 33).”

Dr. John Walvoord explains, “A fundamental principle in God’s economy is that the lives and natures of the patriarchs affected their descendants. God works out the manifold destinies of His people in accordance with their moral distinctions. Genesis 49 gives a glimpse into such a program of God. This chapter includes the last of the several great sayings of destiny in Genesis—blessings, cursings, judgments, and promises. Jacob, in faith and as God’s covenantal instrument, looked forward to the conquest and settlement of Israel in the land of Canaan, and then beyond to a more glorious age. God gave His people this prophecy to bear them through the dismal barrenness of their experiences and to show them that He planned all the future.”

The future of Jacob’s family lay beyond the impending bondage of Egypt and into the land of promise. However, the enjoyment of the blessings of hope would depend on the participants’ faithfulness. So from the solemnness of his deathbed, Jacob evaluated his sons one by one. This appraisal would look forward to the future of the twelve tribes.

We will begin studying Jacob’s blessings upon each of his sons when next we meet. Until then, have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!   

¹⁷ “When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸ And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” ¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” ²⁰ So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’ ” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. ²¹ Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. ²² Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.” (Genesis 48:17–22 (ESV)

Joseph did not agree with what Jacob did in blessing Ephraim as the firstborn instead of Manasseh. This would make sense to Joseph since Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn son (Gen.  41:50-52). However, the LORD had other plans and Jacob understood this, even if Joseph did not.  

Jacob responded to Joseph’s objection by saying, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” Jacob then declared to Ephraim and Manasseh, ““By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’ ” By this declaration, Jacob was placing Ephraim before his older brother Manasseh.

Dr. John Walvoord explains, “Joseph, like so many others, expected God to work in a certain way, but found that He is often pleased to work differently and sometimes even unconventionally. But faith recognizes that God’s ways are not man’s ways. It took Jacob a lifetime of discipline to learn that fact. But he learned it, and now he blessed the younger over the elder. For four consecutive generations this re-versed pattern was followed: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh.”

It was after this that Jacob the said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. ²² Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Jacob’s history does not record any conquest of Amorite land. He did purchase property from the children of Hamor (Gen. 33:19) but that was not by conquest. At some time this military event had actually occurred, but for some unknown reason it finds no other mention in God’s revelation.”  

Another author provides us today’s application. “Jacob learned the ways of the Lord who exalts what men might forget (Matt. 19:30) and gives a better blessing to the younger Ephraim while relying on God’s ways honestly, nobly, and carefully. If an outsider were called upon to write the history of your life, would character qualities like honesty and carefulness show themselves time and again? Would you be shown as a person who relied on God and did what He said was right, even when it cost you dearly?”

Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, ¹⁶ the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Genesis 48:15–16 (ESV)

The words blessed and blessing have been frequently used in these recent blogs. The Hebrew word for blessed is pronounced waybarek. It means to speak words invoking divine favor. This is done with the intent that the object of God’s blessing will have favorable circumstances or conditions throughout their life.  

In today’s text, Jacob not only invoked divine favor upon Manasseh and Ephraim but also their father, Jacob’s favored son, Joseph. Jacob referred to his heritage when he said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” The Shepherd God who was with his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac, Jacob acknowledged was also with him. Jacob affirmed that God, like a shepherd, guided, fed, protected and corrected him for close to 150 years (Gen. 47:28; Psalm 23; Isiah 59:20).

In the same breath, Jacob referred to God as the angel. The Hebrew word for angel, pronounced hammalak, means messenger and guide. This would be a reference to the Angel of the LORD.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains, “The angel of the Lord, sometimes ‘the angel of God’ or ‘my (or ‘his’) angel’, is represented in Scripture as a heavenly being sent by God to deal with men as his personal agent and spokesman. In many passages he is virtually identified with God and speaks not merely in the name of God but as God in the first person singular (e.g. with Hagar, Gen. 16:7ff.; 21:17f.: at the sacrifice of Isaac, Gen. 22:1ff.; to Jacob, Gen. 31:13, ‘I am the god of Beth-el’; to Moses at the burning bush, Ex. 3:2; with Gideon, Jdg. 6:11ff.). Sometimes he is distinguished from God, as in 2 Sam. 24:16; Zech. 1:12f, but Zechariah does not consistently maintain the distinction (cf. Zech. 3:1; 12:8).”  

For the angel to be virtually identified with God would be appropriate since Jacob identifies the angel as redeeming him from all evil. To redeem means to deliver, liberate and free. This angel could very well be a pre-incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ.  

Jacob also invoked a prayer to the angel. He prayed, “bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

One author explains, “Jacob’s blessing depicts the nature of the One whom he served (Gen. 48:15–16). First, Abraham and Isaac also walked before this God. True to His word for His name’s sake, He keeps His covenants from generation to generation. Second, our Creator shepherds us like He did Jacob, leading us in the way of righteousness and disciplining us when we go astray (chap. 29–32; Heb. 12:7–11). Finally, He is the “angel” who redeems us (Gen. 48:16). He is not a creaturely angel, but the angel of the Lord with whom Jacob wrestled (Gen. 32:22–32), a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Messiah, according to churchmen throughout history. Centuries after Jacob lived, God came to earth to defeat sin and reveal His faithfulness (John 1:1–18).”

The Shepherd God who led Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and David, etc. is the same Shepherd God who currently leads you and me. May we take comfort and courage in our Shepherd who eventually will lead us home.

Soli deo Gloria!