In Genesis 49, the prophecies that Jacob speaks over his sons, are significant in that they show very convincingly that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is indeed the word of God. Jacob, a mere man, or even Moses (who wrote the book of Genesis) could not have known so accurately the characters of the various tribes of Israel hundreds of years before Israel became a nation. Jacob was speaking by the Spirit of the only one who knows the end from the beginning, our Mighty God.
Here are the names of Jacob’s sons, the 12 tribes of Israel, in the order listed in Revelation Chapter 7, along with the meaning of each name:
1. Judah = “I will praise the Lord”
2. Reuben = “He has looked on me”
3. Gad = “Granted good fortune”
4. Asher = “Happy am I”
5. Naphtali = “My wrestling”
6. Manasseh = “Making me to forget”
7. Simeon = “God hears me”
8. Levi = “Joined to me”
9. Issachar = “Purchased Me”
10. Zebulun = “Dwelling”
11. Joseph = “God will add to me”
12. Benjamin = “Son of His right hand”
Now notice what happens when the meaning of the names are combined, in the same order, into a paragraph:
“I will praise the Lord for He has looked on me and granted good fortune. Happy am I because my wrestling God is making me to forget. God hears me and is joined to me. He has purchased me a dwelling. God will add to me the Son of His right hand.” A few connecting words are inserted to complete each thought.
These names describe our story, His story …. struggle, redemption, victory, and marriage to the Lamb!
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have shown Yourself in the Bible through the many amazing prophecies that are written for us. Give us eyes to see You….in all Your beauty. Give us Your wisdom to correctly understand what we read in Your Word, and help us, by Your Spirit, to apply what we read to our lives, to savor You, and proclaim Your greatness throughout the nations. In the name of Your precious Son, the Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray these things, Amen.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 