The portraits of these 12 men is hardly flattering, but it is fascinating. And God is at work!
As Genesis 48 draws to a close, Jacob gives a confession of faith that encapsulates his life under the tutelage of God. It is included in the double blessing he gives Joseph by adopting Ephraim and Manasseh, two young princes of Egypt. He says, “The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (vv 15-16). Remember young Jacob’s “If” at Bethel? “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on…then the Lord shall be my God” (28:20-21). Sure enough, God had done all He promised, and so much more. And so you will find Him today—generous and faithful to the end, no ifs about it. But then, as chapter 49 begins, we see Jacob gather his boys around his bed. He has something to say to each one. The erstwhile deceiver has learned through the school of hard knocks that honesty really is the best policy. So boys, he says, let’s get real! And he certainly does. As we read through the very accurate portraits of Jacob’s dozen, and of the tribes that would come from them, we might wonder at times whether we’re reading blessings or curses! But remember: Jacob has learned that, very often, it is the hard experiences that produce the best results. These fellows, just like us, often resemble misshapen lumps of clay, but when the Potter looks at the wheel, He sees what He can make of them, and us, with the right pressure applied in the right way. If you wonder if it worked, read Revelation 21, and you will see the names of these boys engraved on the gates of glory!