“And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, and listen to Israel your father.” (Gen. 49:1-2)
Jacob’s Prophecy & Christ in Genesis
Israelite Tribal Blessings
- God is Sovereign Over the Destiny of Israel
- Reuben, Simeon, and Levi Forfeit the Birthright
Gen 35:21-22; Gen 49:3-4; Gen 34:25-31; Gen 49:5-7 - Judah, the Davidic Dynasty, and the Lion
Gen 49:8-12; 2 Sam 7:1-17; Rev 19:11-16 - The Remaining Tribes (Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin)
Gen 49:13-27 - Christ the Consummate Fulfillment, the “True Israel”[1]
- Reuben: Christ’s Excellency and Dignity, Christ as Firstborn
- Simeon and Levi: Christ’s Suffering on the Cross
- Judah: Christ as King
- Zebulun: Christ as our Refuge and Rest
- Issachar: Christ as Servant
- Dan: Christ as Judge
- Gad: Christ’s Triumphal Resurrection
- Asher: Christ as the Bread of Life
- Naphtali: Christ as Preacher and Prophet
- Joseph: Christ’s Rejection, Persecution, and Exaltation
- Benjamin: Christ as Fierce Warrior
Prophecies of Christ in Genesis
- Protoevangel – Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Luke 1:31-35; Gal 4:4-5; 1 John 3:8; Rev 12:7,17
- Abraham’s Seed – Gen 12:1-3; Gal 3:14,29
- The Lion of Judah – Gen 49:8-12 Heb 7:14; Rev 5:5
Types and Shadows of Christ in Genesis
- Adam – Gen 2:7; Rom 5:12-21; 1 Cor 15:21-22
- Noah’s Ark – Gen 7:23; 1 Pet 3:18-22
- Melchizedek – Gen 14:18-20; Heb 7
- Isaac – Gen 22:1-19; John 3:16; Rom 8:32
[1] A.W. Pink, Gleanings from Genesis, Chapter 39.
Further Study
- The Prophecy of Israel (J. Ligon Duncan)
- Jacob the Prophet (Iain Campbell)
- Jacob’s Prophecy (A.W. Pink)
- Jacob’s Prophecy Continued (A.W. Pink)
- Calvin’s Commentary on Genesis 49 (John Calvin)
- An Early Text for Later Messianic Conceptions (Greg Herrick)
- The Purpose of Prophecy (Bob Deffinbaugh)
Recommended Books
- The Christ of the Prophets (O. Palmer Robertson)
DANGITBILL! 