Jacob's Deathbed Prophesy

The faithful man Jacob
Lived a long life
Some days very happy
But many had strife

Jacob’s family was large
He had twelve sons
He gave them a blessing
When his life was done

This blessing was not
Ordinary indeed
For Jacob was really
A prophet you see

His words were inspired
By the true God
Some of the blessings
May seem very odd

Some sounded like curses
Rather than blessings
Due to bad choices
And their transgressions

Each one had meaning
Of a future foretold
Not just for his sons
Would these things unfold

The pronouncements received
Based on his sons’ lives
Their words and their deeds
Which the Bible provides

Descendants would come
From these sons twelve
Forming twelve tribes
On each we will dwell

These tribes would become
Part of a nation
Each living in their
Appointed location

The firstborn son Reuben
May have believed
Double the blessings
He would receive

It was the custom
For the firstborn
To care for the family
When it was his turn

But Reuben disgraced
His father’s bed
So he forfeited
His birthright instead

His father told him
That he would not excel
This prophesy applied
To his descendants as well

No one in his line
Was priest, prophet, or king
That tribe would never
Produce anything

They were not abandoned
Forgotten, neglected
They would not be
By God rejected

Reuben later showed
Fine qualities
By protecting his brothers
From calamities

The next sons in line
Simeon and Levi
Were violent men
We cannot deny

Their sister Dinah
Was violated
A deed that was
Tremendously hated

Justified in feelings
But not in actions
Simeon and Levi’s
Violent reaction

Murdering men
Of the city of Shechem
Making Jacob a stench
From all the mayhem

The tribes of these men
Would be scattered
Their families
Would be left tattered

They had no territories
To call their own
With cities spread out
That’s all they would know

The Levite tribe
A blessing received
As priests for the nation
A privilege indeed

The Simeonites
Received portions of land
Inside the territories
Of Judah’s clan

Defending Judea
Helping their brothers
Supporting God’s purpose
Along with the others

Despite Judah’s mistakes
God’s message given
The blessing that came
Was by God’s provision

Judah would produce
The kingly line
This prophesy
Would be truly Divine

A lion would come
From the tribe of Judah
A descendant of David
This one would prove

The scepter would not
Depart from them
Till Shiloh arrived
Just as God had said

Zebulun’s seed
Would live by the seashore
With access to commerce
Who could ask for more

Between Galilee
And the Mediterranean
A really nice spot
To be located in

The next blessing came
To Issachar’s family
With fertile land
They would live comfortably

Jacob called him
A strong-boned donkey
Working quite hard
Productive they’d be

Dan was likened to
A serpent by the road
Biting the heels
Of the horses which strode

Taking on things
That were larger in size
Ambitious and fearless
Defense he supplies

The Danites provided
The nation’s rear guard
Defending the flank
They worked very hard

Jacob’s son Gad
Was warned of Marauders
Invaders carry off
Both wives and daughters

Occupying land
East of the Jordan
Left openly exposed
On their eastern border

The Gadites chose land
That was good for pasture
They trusted God
To shield them from disaster

When help was needed
The tribes to defend
They willingly pitched in
Jehovah blessed them

Asher’s up next
He would be prosperous
Growing food fit for kings
They were auspicious

Despite all the wealth
They did not thrive
For the had left
Caananites survive

Lacking zealousness
For true worship
They failed to respond
To Judge Barak

When called to fight
The Caananite coalition
They did not help out
Not one little bit

A miraculous victory
By Jehovah once more
But “Asher sat idle
At the seashore”

What about Naphtali
What was in store
Would his name be written
Forevermore

Jacob had prophesied
Words of elegance
This may be a reference
To Jesus’ eloquence

In Nazareth,
Naphtali, Zebulun,
Where there were people
His preaching was done

Joseph’s called the “offshoot
Of a faithful tree”
How much more intense
Could a father’s love be

The firstborn son
Of his beloved wife
When he thought he’d lost him
It caused so much strife

Joseph received
All of the firstborn’s rights
Yet he remained humble
In Jehovah’s sight

He was never bitter
Despite the trials he faced
Through all the injustice
His “bow stayed in place”

Double the blessing
Bestowed on his sons
Ephraim and Manassah
Each received one

Jacob’s youngest son
Was Benjamin
From his family line
Israel’s kingship begins

King Saul was from
The tribe of Benjamin
A family of fighters
Many victories they’d win

This took place just as
Jacob foretold
He said they’d keep tearing
Just like the wolves

With both of their hands
They learned how to fight
Slashing and dashing
With both left and right

When God transferred the kingship
To Judah’s tribe
Benjamin gave support
During David’s time

So many lessons from
From this prophesy gained
So our loyalty to God
Can be maintained

Do what is right
Prevent bad consequences
Never let down
Your spiritual defenses

Control your anger
Though it seems justified
Never becoming
Overwhelmed with pride

Remain positive
Wherever you are
Contentment you’ll find
It will take you far

Show appreciation for
The brothers hard work
Since their assignments
These ones do not shirk

Though your good deeds
Are not seen by men
Jehovah appreciates
What you do for him

Trust in your God
To provide you support
Offering yourself
Gives a good report

Forgiveness of sins
Jehovah provides
Through the Messiah
From Jacob’s family line