Watchtower Study, Week of August 18-24, 2025, What Jacob's Last Words Teach Us (Part 1). Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, August 18-24, 2025, What Jacob's Last Words Teach Us (Part 1). Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“Gather together so that I may tell you what will happen to you in the last days” (GEN. 49:1).

1, 2. What did Jacob do when he had little time left to live, and why? (See also the image.)

It's been about 17 years since faithful Jacob traveled from Canaan to Egypt with his family (Gen. 47:28). During those years, he had the great joy of seeing his beloved son Joseph again and having his entire family together again. But now Jacob knows that he has little time left to live, so he calls his sons to tell them something very important. (Gen. 49:28).

2 At that time, when the head of the family was about to die, he used to gather the family together to convey his last instructions. (Is. 38:1). Sometimes he would take the opportunity to say who would take his place as patriarch or head of the entire family.

ILLUSTRATION

Jacob on his deathbed, addressing prophetic words to his 12 sons. (See paragraphs 1 and 2.)

3. According to Genesis 49:1, 2, What was special about Jacob's words?

3 (Genesis 49:1, 2). This meeting was special. Jacob was a prophet, and Jehovah used him to predict important things that would happen to his children and their families in the future. That is why the words Jacob spoke on his deathbed were prophetic.

4. What will we discuss in this article? (See also the box “Jacob’s Family.”)

4 In this article we will analyze what Jacob said to four of his sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. In the following article, we'll look at what he said to his other eight sons. Jacob's words were directed to his sons and also to their descendants, who would eventually become the nation of Israel. Let's see how what Jacob prophesied was fulfilled by reviewing the history of Israel. We will also learn valuable lessons that will help us please our heavenly Father, Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

Chart with the family tree of Jacob, who had two wives—Leah and Rachel—and two concubines—Bilha and Zilpah. With Leah she bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah; by Rachel she had Joseph and Benjamin, by Bilhah she had Dan and Naphtali, and by Zilpah she had Gad and Asher.

Ruben

5. What responsibility might Ruben have expected to receive?

5 Jacob first spoke to Reuben and said to him, “You are my firstborn” (Gen. 49:3). Since Reuben was the eldest son, he probably expected to receive a double portion of his father's estate. Perhaps he also hoped to be the patriarch of the family after his father's death and that this responsibility would always be inherited by his descendants.

6. Why did Reuben lose his birthright? (Genesis 49:3, 4)

6 However, Reuben lost his birthright (1 Chron. 5:1). Why? Because a few years earlier he had slept with Bilhah, his father's concubine.  She had been the servant of Rachel, his father's most beloved wife.(Gen. 35:19, 22) What led Reuben to sleep with Bilhah? He was the son of Jacob’s other wife, Leah. Since Rachel was already dead, Reuben may have thought that if he slept with Bilhah, Jacob would despise her and now love Leah more than the others. Or Reuben may have been attracted to Bilhah and unable to control his desires. Either way, Jehovah and Jacob were deeply displeased with what he did. (Read Genesis 49:3, 4.)

7. What happened to Reuben and his descendants? (See also the box “Jacob’s Deathbed Prophecy.”)

7 Jacob said to Reuben, “You will not excel.” And those words came true. There is no record of any of Reuben's descendants becoming king, priest, or prophet. But Jacob did not reject Reuben as a son, and his descendants came to form a tribe of Israel. (Jos. 12:6). Ruben had demonstrated good qualities on other occasions, and apparently did not fall into sexual immorality again. (Gen. 37:20-22; 42:37).

8. What lessons can we learn from Ruben's example?

8 What do we learn? We must strive to have self-control and reject sexual immorality. When faced with temptation, it's best to pause for a moment to consider how our actions can harm Jehovah, our families, and others. On the other hand, we must not forget that "what one sows is what one reaps." (Gal. 6:7). What happened to Reuben also reminds us that Jehovah is very merciful. Although he won't spare us the consequences of our mistakes, he will bless us if we repent and strive to do what's right.

SIMEON AND LEVI

9. Why did Jacob address Simeon and Levi with such disapproving words? (Genesis 49:5-7)

9 (Read Genesis 49:5-7.) Then Jacob spoke to Simeon and Levi, and he spoke to them with some words of disapproval. Years earlier, a man from Canaan named Shechem had raped Jacob's daughter, Dinah. Naturally, all of Jacob's sons were deeply upset by what had happened to their sister. But Simeon and Levi resorted to violence. Jacob's sons deceived the men of Shechem by telling them they would live in peace with them if they were circumcised. They agreed, and while they were still in pain, Simeon and Levi "took a sword each and went into the city." Then, "without anyone knowing it, they killed all the males." (Gen. 34:25-29).

10. How were Jacob’s prophetic words about Simeon and Levi fulfilled? (See also the box “Jacob’s Deathbed Prophecy.”)

10 Jacob was deeply upset that his two sons were so violent. He predicted that they would be dispersed and scattered throughout Israel. Those prophetic words were fulfilled more than 200 years later, when the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land. The tribe of Simeon received as an inheritance portions of land scattered throughout the territory of the tribe of Judah (Josh. 19:1). And the inheritance of Levi was 48 cities scattered throughout Israel. (Jos. 21:41).

11. What good things did the tribes of Simeon and Levi do?

11 The descendants of Simeon and Levi did not make the same mistakes as those two brothers. The tribe of Levi loyally supported pure worship. When Moses received the Law of Jehovah on Mount Sinai, many Israelites began worshipping a golden calf. But the Levites sided with Moses and helped him put an end to this horrible sin. (Ex. 32:26-29). Jehovah gave the men of the tribe of Levi the great privilege of serving as priests (Ex. 40:12-15; Num. 3:11, 12). And the men of the tribe of Simeon fought bravely alongside the men of the tribe of Judah during the conquest of the Promised Land, and thus they fulfilled the will of Jehovah. (Judg. 1:3, 17).

12. What lessons can we learn from the examples of Simeon and Levi?

12 What do we learn? Never let anger get the better of us. If someone does something wrong to us or someone we love, it is normal to feel upset. (Ps. 4:4) But we must always remember that Jehovah disapproves of giving free rein to our anger in words or actions. (James 1:20). When we see or experience injustice—whether outside or inside the congregation—we strive to follow biblical principles. In this way, we avoid doing or saying anything that hurts others. (Rom. 12:17, 19; 1 Ped. 3:9). On the other hand, what if your parents are doing things that are wrong in Jehovah's eyes? Are you doomed to follow their bad example? Absolutely not. Don't think you're a lost cause and that Jehovah's approval is impossible. He will help you do what's right and reward you for it.

JUDAH

13. Why might Judah have been worried when it was his turn to listen to Jacob?

13 Then it was Judah's turn. After hearing what Jacob said to his older brothers, he may have been worried. And it was no wonder, because he too had made serious mistakes. He sacked the city of Shechem with his brothers. (Gen. 34:27). He participated in selling Joseph into slavery and then in deceiving his father (Gen. 37:31-33). Some time later, he had sexual relations with his daughter-in-law Tamar, thinking she was a prostitute. (Gen. 38:15-18).

14. What did Jacob say to Judah, and what good things had Judah done? (Genesis 49:8, 9)

14 However, Jehovah caused Jacob to praise Judah and prophesy only good things. (see Genesis 49:8, 9). Judah had shown that he cared deeply for his elderly father's well-being. Furthermore, he felt sorry for his younger brother Benjamin and wanted to protect him. (Gen. 44:18, 30-34).

15. In what ways was Jacob's prophecy about Judah fulfilled?

15 Jacob predicted that Judah would lead his brothers. But that prophecy would take a long time to fulfill. About 200 years later, when the Israelites left Egypt and began their journey through the desert toward the Promised Land, the tribe of Judah was ahead of all the other tribes. (Num. 10:14). Years later, the men of Judah were the first to go to fight against the Canaanites to conquer the Promised Land. (Judg. 1:1, 2). And David was the first king in a long line of kings who came from the tribe of Judah. But that's not all.

16. How was the prophecy found in Genesis 49:10 fulfilled? (See also the box “Jacob’s Deathbed Prophecy.”)

16 Jacob revealed that a descendant of Judah would rule humanity permanently. (read Genesis 49:10 and the note). That ruler, whom Jacob called Shiloh, is Jesus Christ. Speaking of Jesus, an angel said: “Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David.” (Luc. 1:32, 33). And Jesus is also called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Apoc. 5:5).

17. How can we imitate Jehovah?

17 What do we learn? Jehovah always notices the good things in his servants. He blessed Judah even though he made serious mistakes. Judah's brothers may have been surprised and wondered what Jehovah had seen in him. We don't know if that was the case, but we do know that Jehovah noticed Judah's virtues and rewarded him for them. How can we imitate Jehovah's example? We should appreciate the good in our brothers and sisters. If someone receives an important responsibility, our first impulse may be to focus on their imperfections, but let's remember that Jehovah is undoubtedly very pleased with them because he sees their good qualities.

18. Why do we have to be patient?

18 Another lesson we learn from Judah's experience is that we must be patient. Jehovah always keeps his promises, but he doesn't always do so in the way or at the time we expect. The tribe of Judah did not immediately begin leading God's people. But they loyally supported the leaders Jehovah appointed, such as Moses, Joshua, and King Saul, who were from the tribes of Levi, Ephraim, and Benjamin, respectively. Let us do the same and support those whom Jehovah chooses to guide his people today. (Heb. 6:12).

19. What does the prophecy Jacob gave shortly before his death teach us about Jehovah?

19 What have we learned so far from the prophecy Jacob made on his deathbed? On the one hand, that “God does not see things as man sees them” (1 Sam. 16:7). On the other hand, we learn that he is very patient and forgiving. He doesn't tolerate bad behavior, but he doesn't expect us to be perfect either. He even blesses people who have made serious mistakes in the past but have sincerely repented and strived to do the right thing. In the next article, we will see what Jacob told his other sons.

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM WHAT JACOB TOLD HIS FIRST FOUR SONS?

Ruben

We must strive to exercise self-control and reject sexual immorality. When faced with temptation, it's best to pause for a moment to consider how our actions can harm Jehovah, our family, and others. What happened to Reuben also reminds us that Jehovah is very merciful. Although he will not spare us the consequences of our mistakes, he will bless us if we repent and strive to do what is right.

Simeon and Levi

Let us never be overcome by anger. If something wrong is done to us or to someone we love, it is normal to feel upset. But we must always keep in mind that Jehovah disapproves of giving free rein to our anger in speech or action. When we see or suffer injustice—whether outside or inside the congregation—we strive to follow Bible principles.

Judah

Jehovah always notices the good in his servants. He blessed Judah, even though he made serious mistakes. This teaches us that we too should appreciate the good in our brothers. If someone receives an important responsibility, our first impulse may be to focus on their imperfections, but let's remember that Jehovah is undoubtedly very pleased with them because he sees their good qualities.