Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“To each one he gave the blessing that was due” (GEN. 49:28).
1. What will we see in this article?
Jacob's sons are gathered around their father, listening attentively to the words he addresses to each of them. In the previous article, we saw that he spoke words to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah that surely left everyone intrigued and perhaps surprised. What would he now say to the rest of his sons? Let's see what we can learn from what he prophesied about Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin.
ZEBULON
2. What did Jacob prophesy about Zebulun, and how were his words fulfilled? (Genesis 49:13; see also box).
2 (Genesis 49:13). Jacob prophesied that the descendants of Zebulun would live by the sea, in the northern part of the Promised Land. More than 200 years later, the tribe of Zebulun inherited a territory located between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. On the other hand, Moses prophesied: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your goings forth” (Deut. 33:18). What did he mean? Probably that its location between the two seas would facilitate trade. In any case, Zebulun's descendants had reason to be happy.
3. What will help us not to lose joy?
3. What do we learn? No matter where we live or what our circumstances are, there are always reasons to be happy. In order not to lose joy, we must be satisfied with what we have. (Ps. 16:6; 24:5). Sometimes we may not enjoy the good things we have because we focus on what we don't have. So let's try to focus on the positive things. (Gal. 6:4).
ISACAR
4. What did Jacob predict about Issachar, and how were his words fulfilled? (Genesis 49:14, 15; see also box).
4 (Read Genesis 49:14, 15.) Jacob praised Issachar for his hard work, comparing him to a strong-boned donkey, an animal capable of carrying heavy loads. He also predicted that Issachar would live in a pleasant land. And his words were fulfilled when Issachar's descendants received a fertile and productive territory along the Jordan River. (Josh. 19:22). They certainly worked hard farming their land, but they also went out of their way to help others (1 Kings 4:7, 17). For example, when Judge Barak and the prophetess Deborah asked for help in fighting Sisera, the tribe of Issachar was one of those who offered their support (Judges 5:15).
5. Why is it important for us to work hard for Jehovah?
5 What do we learn? Jehovah greatly appreciated the hard work of the tribe of Issachar and he also greatly appreciates all the efforts we make to serve him. (Eccl. 2:24). To cite one example, consider the brothers who go out of their way to care for the congregation. (1 Tim. 3:1) They do not engage in literal warfare, but they do their best to protect God's servants from anything that might damage their friendship with Jehovah. (1 Cor. 5:1, 5; Jude 17-23) They also strive to prepare and deliver talks that encourage and strengthen the congregation. (1 Tim. 5:17)
DAN
6. What mission did the tribe of Dan receive? (Genesis 49:17, 18; see also box).
6 (Read Genesis 49:17, 18.) Jacob said that Dan would be like a serpent capable of defeating much larger enemies, like a horse and its rider. That is, this tribe would be willing to bravely confront Israel's adversaries. How were his words fulfilled? As Israel entered the Promised Land, the tribe of Dan brought up the rear, protecting the entire nation. (Num. 10:25). Although others could not see what this tribe was doing, their mission was very important.
7. Whenever we do something for Jehovah, what should we remember?
7 What do we learn? In our service to Jehovah, there are tasks that may go unnoticed by others, such as cleaning and maintaining the Kingdom Hall, volunteering at conventions, and the like. If you have lent a hand in one of these tasks, we take this opportunity to congratulate you. But never forget that Jehovah sees and appreciates everything you do for him. And he appreciates it especially because he knows you are not doing it to receive praise from others, but to show him how much you love him. (Matt. 6:1-4).
GAD
8. Why was the tribe of Gad vulnerable to attack in the Promised Land? (Genesis 49:19; see also box).
8 (Read Genesis 49:19.) Jacob prophesied that Gad would be attacked by a band of robbers. More than 200 years later, this tribe inherited a territory east of the Jordan River, next to several enemy nations. So it was very likely that these nations would attack them. But they wanted to live there because it was a good grazing area for their livestock. (Num. 32:1, 5) What a courageous tribe! They certainly trusted that Jehovah would help them defend the lands he had given them. In fact, for several years they sent their own soldiers across the Jordan to help the other tribes conquer the rest of the Promised Land. (Num. 32:16–19) They were convinced that in the meantime, Jehovah would protect their wives and children. And he blessed them for their courage and their spirit of sacrifice. (Josh. 22:1–4)
9. If we trust in Jehovah, what will we be willing to do?
9 What do we learn? We must trust in Jehovah in all circumstances, even when it is not easy. (Ps. 37:3) Today, many brothers are willing to make sacrifices to support construction projects, move to where help is needed to preach, or attend to other responsibilities in the organization. Why do they do this? Because they trust that Jehovah will always take care of them (Ps. 23:1).
ASER
10. What mistake did the tribe of Asher make? (Genesis 49:20; see also box).
10 (Read Genesis 49:20.) Jacob predicted that the tribe of Asher would be prosperous, and it was. Their inheritance included some of the most fertile land in all of Israel (Deut. 33:24). Their territory faced the Mediterranean Sea and included the Phoenician city of Sidon, which had a major commercial port. However, the tribe of Asher made the mistake of not expelling the Canaanites from their land, which exposed them to their evil influence (Judges 1:31, 32). This, coupled with their prosperous economic situation, may have caused them to lose enthusiasm for their service to Jehovah. In fact, when Judge Barak called for volunteers to fight the Canaanite armies, the tribe of Asher did not volunteer. As a result, they missed out on seeing Jehovah's awesome intervention in the victory "at the waters of Megiddo." (Judg. 5:19-21). And how embarrassed they must have been when Barak and Deborah sang, under divine inspiration, a victory song that said in part: “Asher sat by the seashore doing nothing.” (Judg. 5:17).
11. Why shouldn't we give material things more importance than they have?
11 What do we learn? Because we want to give Jehovah our best, we must reject the world's view that money and comfort are the most important things in life. (Prov. 18:11) We must strive not to give material things more importance than they deserve. (Eccl. 7:12; Heb. 13:5) Nor do we want to slack off in our service to Jehovah by devoting our time and energy to pursuing material things. Instead, we give Jehovah our best now, confident that in the future he will provide us with a secure life filled with good things. (Ps. 4:8)
NEPHTHALI
12. How could Jacob's prophecy about Naphtali be fulfilled? (Genesis 49:21; see also box.)
12 (Read Genesis 49:21). Jacob prophesied that Naphtali would speak “with beautiful words.” This was perhaps fulfilled in Jesus' very effective way of speaking and teaching during his ministry. (John 7:46). He spent much of his time in Capernaum, which belonged to the territory of Naphtali, and so the Bible says it was “his city” (Matt. 4:13; 9:1). And Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be “a great light” to the inhabitants of Zebulun and Naphtali (Is. 9:1, 2). Jesus was “the true light that enlightens all kinds of people” through his beautiful teaching (Juan 1:9).
13. If we want to please Jehovah, what should we do?
13 What do we learn? Jehovah cares about what we say and how we say it. If we want to please Him, we must speak “with beautiful words.” And how do we do that? To begin with, we should always tell the truth (Ps. 15:1, 2). We should also say things that encourage others and make it a habit to praise them for the good things they do, rather than always criticizing or complaining. (Eph. 4:29). We can also set a goal to improve our ability to start conversations that might allow us to speak the truth.
JOSEPH
14. How was Jacob's prophecy about Joseph fulfilled? (Genesis 49:22, 26; see also box).
14 (Read Genesis 49:22, 26.) Jacob must have been very proud of Joseph, for Jehovah had “chosen him among his brothers.” He said that Joseph was “a shoot of a fruitful tree.” Jacob himself was the tree, and Joseph was like a branch coming out of that tree. Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, the wife Jacob loved most. Jacob prophesied that Joseph would inherit the double portion lost to Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob’s other wife, Leah. (Gen. 48:5, 6; 1 Chron. 5:1, 2.) This part of the prophecy was fulfilled when the two sons of Joseph—Ephraim and Manasseh—became two tribes of Israel and each received a portion of land. (Gen. 49:25; Josh. 14:4).
15. What did Joseph do when he suffered injustice?
15 Speaking of Joseph, Jacob said that some archers “shot at him and did not stop hating him” (Gen. 49:23). These were his brothers, who for a time were jealous of him and treated him terribly unjustly. But Joseph was not angry with them or with Jehovah. As Jacob said: “His bow remained firm, and his hands remained strong and agile.” (Gen. 49:24). When things went wrong, Joseph relied on Jehovah. He not only forgave his brothers, but also treated them with kindness. (Gen. 47:11, 12). He allowed trials to make him a better person (Ps. 105:17-19). And because of that, Jehovah was able to use him in an amazing way.
16. How can we imitate Joseph's example when going through difficulties?
16 What do we learn? Let us never allow difficulties to separate us from Jehovah or our brothers. Let us remember that Jehovah may allow us to go through situations that test our faith in order to educate us and help us become better Christians. (Heb. 12:7, footnote) In this way, we can cultivate and enhance qualities such as mercy and forgiveness. (Heb. 12:11) And we know that Jehovah will reward us for our endurance, just as he did Joseph.
BENJAMIN
17. How was Jacob's prophecy about Benjamin fulfilled? (Genesis 49:27; see also box).
17 (Read Genesis 49:27.) Jacob first predicted that the members of the tribe of Benjamin would be warriors as fierce as wolves (Judges 20:15, 16; 1 Chron. 12:2). He then used the expressions “in the morning” and “in the evening.” “In the morning” —that is, at the beginning of the kingdom of Israel—, Saul, who was the first king and came from the tribe of Benjamin, fought bravely against the Philistines (1 Sam. 9:15-17, 21). And, “at evening” — that is, many years later, when there were no longer kings in Israel — Queen Esther and Prime Minister Mordecai, who were also from this tribe, prevented the Persian Empire from exterminating the Israelites. (Est. 2:5-7; 8:3; 10:3).
18. How can we imitate the loyalty of the tribe of Benjamin?
18 What do we learn? The members of the tribe of Benjamin were surely delighted when Saul was made king, fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy. However, when Jehovah later made David, a member of the tribe of Judah, king, the tribe of Benjamin eventually supported the change. (2 Sam. 3:17–19) And decades later, when the other tribes rebelled, the tribe of Benjamin remained loyal to Judah and the king Jehovah had appointed. (1 Kings 11:31, 32; 12:19, 21) Today, God has appointed men to lead his people. Like this tribe, let us be loyal and give them our support. (1 Thess. 5:12).
19. What have we learned from what Jacob prophesied on his deathbed?
19 How many things we have learned from what Jacob prophesied on his deathbed! Reviewing how his words were fulfilled strengthens our faith that the other prophecies of God's Word will also come true. And analyzing the blessings that Jacob's children received helps us understand what we must do if we want Jehovah to be pleased with us.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM WHAT JACOB TOLD SOME OF HIS SONS?
Zebulun, Issachar, and Dan
We learn that no matter where we live or what our circumstances, there are always reasons to be happy. Jehovah greatly valued the hard work of the tribe of Issachar, and he also values all the efforts we make to serve him. Furthermore, in our service to Jehovah, there are tasks that may go unnoticed by others, but let us never forget that Jehovah sees and appreciates everything we do for him.
Gad, Asher and Naphtali
We learn that we must trust Jehovah in all circumstances, even when it is not easy. Because we want to give Jehovah our best, we must reject the world's view that money and comfort are the most important things in life. Furthermore, Jehovah cares about what we say and how we say it. If we want to please him, we must speak “with beautiful words.”
Joseph and Benjamin
We learn that we should never allow difficulties to distance us from Jehovah or our brothers and sisters. Let us remember that Jehovah may allow us to go through situations that test our faith, in order to educate us and help us become better Christians. Furthermore, today, God has appointed men to lead his people. Like the tribe of Benjamin, let us be loyal and give them our support.
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