Genesis 49:1  “…I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days”
Jacob is dying.  He calls his family together to share information and prophecy.  Interesting that God chooses to do this as each of the patriarchs die.

4  “Unstable as water…he went up to my couch”
Only God knows what Reuben might have been.  His lack of character and sin becomes his legacy, and he loses the birthright as the firstborn.

5-7  “Simeon and Levi…I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel”
Their decision to take vengeance on the people of Shechem becomes their legacy.  And yet God chooses Levi to become the tribe of His priests.

10  “The scepter shall not depart from Judah…”
Judah shall be the tribe of the Messiah.  All of his prophecies point to Jesus.

13  “Zebulun…his border shall adjoin Sidon”
Not sure of this one.  According to maps of the inheritance, Zebulun was south of Sidon and Tyre and was pretty much land locked.  Bit of a mystery as to what the prophecy meant.

16  “Dan…one of the tribes of Israel”
Interesting that Dan isn’t mentioned among the tribes in Revelation.  Not sure what happens.

22  “Joseph is a fruitful bough…”
Even though he was treated roughly and unfairly by his brothers, he eventually overcame them and also became their provider and means of salvation from starvation.  His sons’ tribes also become two of the larger in Israel.

31  “…there I buried Leah”
I’ve always thought it strange that Jacob didn’t carry Rachel to this burial place.

33  “…breathed his last…”
Death of Jacob.  Last request was that he be buried in Canaan.  I’m surprised that Joseph didn’t have the same request.  He simply said to make sure his bones were taken back to Canaan when God returned Israel there.  Perhaps he knew the Egyptians would prefer to bury him there due to his position.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.