Genesis 49:1 (NASBStr)
Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come.
Jacob (Israel) is about to die. The custom of the day was for the father to give a final blessing to the son(s). In this chapter Jacob blesses each son according to his past life. Think of the concept of the "reading of the will" but the father is still alive. Imagine the anticipation. Imagine how anxious everyone was. The older sons were know doubt anxious to hear their special status simply because they were born first. The younger children would be prepared for the left-overs, the scraps that fell from the table. This is just the way it was. Yet, God's principles are not based upon chronological status. God's principles are based upon HIs character. Later, God would give one these boys' descendants the Ten Commandments. In those commandments would be the law that states, "Honor your father and mother and it will be well with you." We would later be reminded by Paul that this is the first commandment with promise. The explicit teaching in the law is that those who honor their parents will be blessed. The implicit teaching is that those who don't honor their parents will lose their blessing, or never receive it. So, too, here in Jacob's final blessing. Rueben, the first born, lost his blessing because he dishonored his dad. The same is true of second born, Simeon. Both failed to bring honor to the father and found their blessing conveyed to other brothers. Joseph, one of the youngest, received a double portion because of his faithfulness and character. There is nothing more grieving for a parent than to lose the honor they are due for being the parent. True, there are some parents who forfeit that honor in the eyes of the child. Yet, God's word does not say honor your father and mother "when they deserve it." God's word simply tells children to honor their father and mother and God will make it well with them. Blessing is from God for obedience to the Word. If you don't obey God in this area don't expect honor.
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