This chapter begins with Jacob calling all of his sons together. He wanted to tell them what was going to happen to them. It may not seem obvious at first, but Jacob is speaking in terms of his sons' offspring and their generations. He is speaking in terms of how each son's descendants will be as a tribe in Israel. So as Jacob prophesies to his sons, he does so with a binding that establishes their tribe's reputation for the ages to come.

Jacob begins with Reuben, his first born. Right at verse 3, he begins with a compliment and then he tells him how he is preeminent in dignity and power. Then he cuts him down like an old cherry tree. He tells him because he is not controlled, he will not have preeminence. Remember when Reuben defiled Jacob's bed? We must reap what we sow.

Then Jacob addresses Simeon and Levi in verses 5 through 7. He curses their anger and wrath because it is cruel and fierce. Jacob says they will be scattered in Israel. Next is Judah. Jacob spends more time on him. Judah shall be praised and his brothers shall bow down to him. Jacob goes on to speak about Judah like a lion in verse 9. He also gives Judah the charge of a leader until Shiloh comes. What is meant by Shiloh is "the Messiah," or "the Peaceful One."

Jacob goes on to compliment Judah even more before going on to Zebulun. He tells him that he will dwell at the seashore and he will be a haven for ships. Jacob tells Issachar that he is a strong donkey. He goes on to explain that he will bear burdens. Issachar will also become a slave at forced labor, which Jacob speaks on in verse 15.

As he continues to prophesy over his sons, Jacob tells Dan he will judge his people. He tells Gad that raiders will raid him, but then he will raid at their heels. Jacob then prophesies that Asher's food will be rich and he will yield royal dainties. He next tells Naphtali that he is a loose doe and that he will give beautiful words.

After Naphtali's prophecy, Jacob addresses Joseph in verse 22. He keeps calling him a bough or literally "son." Jacob spends more time complimenting Joseph (like he did with Judah) and it becomes obvious just how much Joseph is revered in Jacob's heart. He talks a lot about how Joseph was attacked (spiritually and physically) but God protected him. Jacob speaks on how God helped him to remain strong through all of these attacks. Jacob blesses Joseph as one distinguished among his brothers.

Then Jacob speaks to Benjamin. He calls him a ravenous wolf that devours his prey by day and divides the spoil by night. This last prophecy accounts for all 12 tribes of Israel. Then Jacob, after giving his final instructions to be buried in the field of Ephron the Hittite (the place of his father's graves), lay in his bed and died.

Man, Jacob led a long life and was at the very execution point of the 12 tribes. He fathered them, raised them, and then set up the legacy that the Lord had made through him in them. We will conclude this series in the next chapter. Well, until then, grace and peace my brethren.