Jacob's blessing of his sons
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:51 pm
Many of the blessings Jacob speaks to his sons sound negative to me. I always thought blessings were positive "gifts" to others.? Reading for 1/18.
I think the father's formal blessing was more like what we think of has his 'Last Will and Testament.' Jacob is laying out how he sees his sons, each with unique talents and personalities, interacting after he dies. There is favoritism and recognition of good and bad in previous conduct and decisions. Like a reading of a will, Jacob has a limited amount of stuff (physical and spiritual) to be inherited. Also like a reading of a will (from movies I've seen) many are disappointed they didn't get more. Remember how Esau begged Isaac for more, but it had been given to Jacob already. Esau was still very successful, but the family line went to Jacob. This has a lot of cultural context that is tough to translate into our world today. Perhaps someone else has a better answer for you.
Its interesting to me that we once again see the uncommon act of elevating the younger brother above the older. I think that is God letting us know not to take our rules and customs too seriously. His will be done.