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CHRIST IN THE LAST WORDS OF JACOB (1)
GENESIS 49:1
Good News From The Redeemer

Sermon by Pastor Daniel Parks
JANUARY 15, 2000 - RADIO MESSAGE #302

We read in the first verse of Genesis chapter 49 that “Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days.’” He afterward died (vv.29ff).

Note first that Jacob prophesied to his sons of “the last days.” This term here has a two-fold meaning. It first refers to the era which would commence with the conquest of Canaan and the settlement of the tribes of Jacob’s sons therein.

It also refers to the era which would commence with the incarnation of Christ, who is here prophesied as “Shiloh” (v.10) and “the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel” (v.24). His incarnation divides the two eras of human history (Hebrews 1:1f). (We accordingly designate dates as being either Befor e Christ [B.C.] or Anno Domini [A.D.].) The era preceding His birth is called “time past.” The era following His birth is called the “last days,” the “last times” (1 Peter 1:20), the “end of the ages” (Hebrews 9:26), and the “last hour” (1 John 2:18) at which “the end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 4:7; cp. James 5:8). (Since we presently live in what God calls the “la st days, Christ’s millennial reign is not a future age!)

We here will observe what Jacob spoke concerning Christ.

I. Reuben typifies our need of Christ with regard to our fall in Adam (vv.3f).

1. Reuben was to Jacob “my firstborn ....” So to God was “the first man Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), “the son of God” (Luke 3:38).

2. In his original state Reuben possessed “the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.” So did Adam, having been made “in the image of God” and having been given “dominion” over all the earth (Genesis 2:26-28; cp. Psalm 8:3-8).

3. Reuben sinned grievously against his father. Adam sinned grievously against his God (Genesis 2:16f; 3:1-6) -- and we sinned in him (Romans 5:12ff).

4. Reuben consequently became “unstable as water” -- yielding to every impression but retaining none, ever following the path of least resistance. Those who are fallen in Adam are so spiritually unstable as to be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men” (Ephesians 4:14).

5. Reuben was therefore told “you shall not excel.” Adam and his fallen race are cursed with failure and death (Genesis 3:17-19) without hope or means of self-remedy (Romans 3:10-12). Such persons are in dire need of a Savior.

II. Simeon and Levi typify our need of Christ with regard to the violent nature of our fallen state (vv.5-7). “Instruments of cruelty are in their habitation.” Every member of our depraved bodies is an instrument of cruelty (Romans 3:13-18): “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Such persons are in dire need of one who can give to them peace with God.

III. Christ is the greater fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Judah (vv.8f). “[I]t is evident that our Lord arose from Judah” (Hebrews 7:14; see His genealogy in Matthew 1:1ff). It is evident also that all that is here prophesied of Judah has a greater fulfillment in our Lord.

1. “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise.” Christ is the object of praise by the “one hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of Israel” (Revelation 7).

2. “Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies.” The same is prophesied of Christ in Psalm 18:40 (a Messianic psalm).

3. “Your father’s children shall bow down before you.” “[A]t the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10f).

4. “Judah is a lion’s whelp ....” Christ is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).

All who see their need of a Savior will find Him in Christ!

(To be continued.)

Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205

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