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The Purpose of Prophecy
Genesis 49:1-28
Hurricane Dean Projections
Biblical Prophecy
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In trying to put all the pieces together
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Often people become totally lost in the details and
lose sight of the purpose of prophecy
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Immersion in the details of “things to come”
Carefully chart out the future
Details become an obsession while godly living is brushed
aside
Does Genesis 49 have much to say to us in the
21st century?
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The prophecies are related to the destiny of the
descendants of Jacob
There are messianic prophecies
Insight into the purpose of all prophecy
Jacob Was Approaching Death
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Jacob called his twelve sons to gather
around him
– He began to speak, but his words were not
those of a regular conversation
– He spoke in a form of poetry using symbols
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The Holy Spirit enabled Jacob to predict
the future of the nation Israel
I. The Prophecies
A.
The Sons of Leah – Genesis 49:3-15
B.
The Sons of Bilhah – Genesis 49:16-18, 21
C.
The Sons of Zilpah – Genesis 49:19-20
D.
The Sons of Rachel – Genesis 49:22-27
The Sons of Leah
Genesis 49:3-15
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God gave Jacob six sons by Leah
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The wife he didn’t want
Reuben (Genesis 49:3-4)
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An old sin finally caught up with Reuben
He lost his privileges as the firstborn son
“Unstable as water” speaks of both turbulence and
weakness
The descendents of Reuben were just like him
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The tribe was never important in the history of Israel and
never produced a leader of any stature for the nation
The prophecy proved to be precisely true
The Sons of Leah
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Genesis 49:3-15
Simeon and Levi (Genesis 49:5-7)
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Guilty of anger and violence - massacre of the
Shechemites
Dangerous to be “in their assembly”
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God arranged that the two tribes would not be able to
assemble
Tribe of Simeon was absorbed into Judah
Tribe of Levi given 48 towns to live in, scattered
throughout the land
The tribe of Levi shows how God use a repentant
people mightily for good
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Redeemed themselves by standing for God and Moses
when no one else would (Exodus 32:25-29)
More great leaders than any other tribe except Judah
Moses, Aaron, Phinehas, Eli, Ezra, John the Baptist
The Sons of Leah
Genesis 49:3-15
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Judah (Genesis 49:8-12)
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Jacob said nothing about Judah’s sins
Judah’s life is a beautiful picture of a person’s
growing into spiritual maturity
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Judah sinned, but he repented and made some things right
with his father and his family
That was the difference between him and his three elder
brothers
Judah means “praise, and Judah did live up to his
name
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The tribe that gave Israel their kings - some were godly
leaders
Ultimately brought Jesus Christ into the world
The Sons of Leah
Genesis 49:3-15
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Judah (Genesis 49:8-12)
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The prophetic blessing
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Praised for military leadership and power
Judah would be like a lion - a symbol of courage, strength,
and security
Clearly seen in the great kings Judah produced
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David, Solomon, Asa, Jehosaphat, Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah,
Josiah
The greatest blessing - Shiloh, the Messiah and
Savior of the world
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Shiloh was to come through Judah’s offspring
A great prophecy of the Messiah, the Savior of the world
The Sons of Leah
Genesis 49:3-15
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Zebulun (Genesis 49:13)
– The only tribe that had its territory spelled
out in the prophetic blessing
– God’s blessing
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A unique opportunity to serve the other tribes by
providing goods for them
– The lesson
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God is the source of our blessings
We must be like Zebulun and use what we have
to serve and help those who are around us
The Sons of Leah
Genesis 49:3-15
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Isaachar (Genesis 49:14-15)
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Today a donkey is an ignoble beast of burden
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The prophecy proved true
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But in OT times, kings rode on donkeys
The image is of a strong people who weren’t afraid to carry
burdens
They fought for Deborah and Barak when other tribes
refused to help - Judges 5:15-18
Provide 87,000 men for the military during the rule of
Israel’s kings - 1 Chronicles 7:5
Issachar had one terrible weakness, complacency
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Complacency destroys ambition, drive, initiative,
production, work, even life itself
The Sons of Bilhah
Genesis 49:16-18, 21
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Rachel’s handmaid
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Given to Jacob to bear him children when Rachel
thought she was childless
Dan (Genesis 49:16-18)
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Dan means “to judge”
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Produced Samson - one of the most famous judges
(Judges 13–16)
The tribe of Dan wasn’t able to drive out the Philistines
The prophecy
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The tribe was to be just like a snake treacherous and crafty
The first tribe to take up idol worship in Israel
The first to be dishonest against God
The Sons of Bilhah
Genesis 49:16-18, 21
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Naphtali (Genesis 49:21)
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For some reason, Jacob spoke to Gad and Asher,
the sons of Zilpah, before he spoke to Naphtali
Naphtali has no judgment against it
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The image of “a hind [doe] let loose” = a free-spirited
people
“he gives goodly [beautiful] words” = they could express
themselves well
The people of Naphtali would make ideal messengers
Jesus Christ spent a great deal of time and ministry
in their territory – Galilee!
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The prophecy of beautiful words find their greatest
fulfillment in the gospel preached by Christ Himself
The Sons of Zilpah
Genesis 49:19-20
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Leah’s handmaid
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Given to Jacob to bear him more children after Leah
had ceased bearing
Later Leah gave birth to Isaachar, Zebulun, and
Dinah
Gad (Genesis 49:19)
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The Gadites were great warriors (Joshua 22:1-6)
Successful in struggling against his enemy
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The idea is that he would never give up no matter the
strength of his enemy
He would struggle and fight until at last he overcame
He would know the glory of victory
The Sons of Zilpah
Genesis 49:19-20
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Asher (Genesis 49:20)
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Asher means happy, lucky, or fortunate
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They inherited some of the best land
But during the days of the judges, the people were
swallowed up by the luxury of wealth
They refused to help the other tribes in fighting against the
enemies of Israel
Too caught up in the worldly pleasures, and comforts to
worry about the needs of others under attack (Judges
5:17-18)
The Sons of Rachel
Genesis 49:22-27
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Jacob’s favorite wife
Her two sons were his favorite children
Joseph (Genesis 49:22-26)
Jacob used the word “bless” at least six times about Joseph
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A fruitful vine sitting near a spring that has fruitful branches
climbing all over a wall
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Keep in mind that the prophecy refers to his two sons, Ephraim
and Manasseh
Ephraim and Manasseh were to bear large numbers of people
and strong leaders
Joshua, 5 of the 15 judges of Israel: Gideon, Abimelech, Jair,
Jephthah, and Samuel
Joseph was, however, to be harassed and hated by his
enemies
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But Joseph was to stand firm and steady
God Himself was to make him strong
The Sons of Rachel
Genesis 49:22-27
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Joseph (Genesis 49:22-26)
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The Mighty One of Jacob
The Shepherd
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A picture of God as the Guide, Provider, and Protector
The Rock of Israel
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5 different names or titles of God - The strength of
Joseph’s descendents was due to God and God alone!
A picture of God as the Foundation and Support of life
The God of your father who helps you
The Almighty (El Shaddai)
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This name stresses that God is the God of all might and
strength Who can do all things for His people
The Sons of Rachel
Genesis 49:22-27
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Benjamin (Genesis 49:27)
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Jacob’s words were few and puzzling
Why compare Benjamin to a “ravenous wolf”?
There are both good and bad features in a wolf
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A wolf is a strong, sensitive, loyal, crafty, ferocious animal,
always alert and ready to fight
The men of Benjamin were brave and loyal
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Tribal history in Judges 19 – 20 = the ravenous wolf in action
King Saul - ruthlessl
Abner, Sheba, and Shimei – ferocious warriors!
Saul of Tarsus - like a wild animal persecuting the church
II. Questions
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Did every detail of Jacob’s prophecy come to
pass, as he predicted?
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The answer is no, but why not?
God’s purposes for Israel are not yet complete
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Romans 11:25-27
Romans 11:25-27
For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this
mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a
partial hardening has happened to Israel until the
fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel
will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer Will
Come From Zion, He Will Remove Ungodliness From
Jacob.” “And This Is My Covenant With Them, When I
Take Away Their Sins”
II. Questions
A. Did every detail of Jacob’s prophecy come to
pass, as he predicted?
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The answer is no, but why not?
1. God’s purposes for Israel are not yet complete
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Romans 11:25-27
The promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have never
been fully realized in Israel’s history, and are still to come
in the future
II. Questions
A.
Did every detail of Jacob’s prophecy come to
pass, as he predicted?
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The answer is no, but why not?
God’s purposes for Israel are not yet complete
God never intended to fulfill every prophecy!
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While most prophecies are specific and certain of their
fulfillment, not all are
Some prophecies are God’s warning of what would come
to pass if men did not repent
This is why Jonah had no intention of prophesying
impending judgment to the Ninevites
Jonah 3:10-4:2
When God saw their deeds and that they turned from
their wicked way, then God relented concerning the
calamity which He had declared He would bring upon
them. And He did not do it. But it greatly displeased
Jonah, and he became angry. And he prayed to the
Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said
while I was still in my own country? Therefore, in
order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew
that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God,
slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and
one who relents concerning calamity”
Jeremiah 18:7-10
• Years later, the truth that Jonah understood was
clearly stated
– At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or
concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to
destroy it, if that nation against which I have spoken
turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the
calamity I planned to bring on it. Or at another
moment I might speak concerning a nation or
concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it, if it
does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I
will think better of the good with which I had
promised to bless it
II. Questions
B. What is the purpose of this prophecy for the
sons of Jacob, since they will all die before God
causes the nation to return to Canaan?
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The primary lesson - Character not only affects their
own destiny, but also the future generations!
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Present actions have future results and repercussions
What they are tends to shape what the nation will
be in years to come
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If they live godly lives, this will be a blessing to coming
generations
If they are godless, the nation will reap the consequences
III. The Purpose of Prophecy
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Prophecy focuses our attention upon future
things
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Our tendency is to live like there is no future
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Israel’s hope, like ours, was a future hope
Do not fix your hopes on earthly things!
1 Peter 1:3-5
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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His great mercy has caused us to be
born again to a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance
which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade
away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by
the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time
III. The Purpose of Prophecy
B.
Prophecy focuses not only on the future, but
on living in the present in the light of the
future
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The promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob were to prompt purity in the lives of Israel’s
sons
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The future blessings (and judgments) which are in store
for us are intended to encourage us to live in peace and
purity
What does 2 Peter 3:10-13 make you want to do right
now?
2 Peter 3:10-13
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which
the heavens will pass away with a roar and the
elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the
earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these
things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of
people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of
God, on account of which the heavens will be
destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with
intense heat! But according to His promise we are
looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which
righteousness dwells
III. The Purpose of Prophecy
B.
Prophecy focuses not only on the future, but
on living in the present in light of the future
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The promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob were to prompt purity in the lives of Israel’s
sons
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The future blessings (and judgments) which are in store
for us are intended to encourage Christians to live in
peace and purity
What does 2 Peter 3:10-13 make you want to do right
now?
Prophecy is given not to satisfy our curiosity, but
to prompt us to purity
C. Specific and General Prophecy
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Specific prophecy
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Like the second coming of Christ
Fulfilled as specifically and literally as prophecies
of Christ’s first coming
More general prophecies
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Given to warn us of the possibility of future things
which can be avoided
These words of warning are also words of hope
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The warning of sin and its consequences was designed to
turn us from our sin to the Messiah
The Scriptures are full of passages about the days ahead
of suffering, eternal torment, judgment, and
condemnation
Revelation 20:12-15
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And I saw the dead, the great and the small,
standing before the throne, and books were opened;
and another book was opened, which is the book of
life; and the dead were judged from the things which
were written in the books, according to their deeds.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and
death and Hades gave up the dead which were in
them; and they were judged, every one of them
according to their deeds. And death and Hades were
thrown in to the lake of fire. This is the second
death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not
found written in the book of life, he was thrown into
the lake of fire
Some will surely face this judgment, but you need not!
Prophecy like this is written so that you might turn from sin
and judgment to Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers
John 3:16,17
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For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in
Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world
to judge the world, but that the world should
be saved through Him
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By acknowledging your sin and the judgment you
deserve, by personally trusting in Jesus Christ as
Messiah and Savior, you may avoid the judgment
to come
Revelation 21:1-4
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And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the
first heaven and the first earth passed away, and
there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, made ready as a bride adorned for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne,
saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is among men,
and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be
His people, and God Himself shall be among them,
and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes;
and there shall no longer be any death; there shall
no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the
first things have passed away”
The Purpose of Prophecy
• For the unbeliever
– To warn of the wages of sin
– To warn of eternal death!
• For the believer in Christ
– To motivate to live in this life in purity and
hope, assured that God has even greater
blessings ahead for those who will trust and
obey
– To promise eternal life!