QT 1/19/2026 Gen 49:1-7, A new birth and a new course

Genesis 49:1–7 (ESV) —

1 Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.

2 “Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob,

listen to Israel your father.

3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn,

my might, and the firstfruits of my strength,

preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.

4 Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence,

because you went up to your father’s bed;

then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!

5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers;

weapons of violence are their swords.

6 Let my soul come not into their council;

O my glory, be not joined to their company.

For in their anger they killed men,

and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen.

7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce,

and their wrath, for it is cruel!

I will divide them in Jacob

and scatter them in Israel.

 

NOTE: Actions have consequences. You can be forgiven, but it may not take away the consequences. I'm sure Reuben, Simeon, and Levi regretted the steps they took. But Levi redeems himself to a degree 400 years later when it stands together against the sinful activities of its brothers and sisters. It is still scattered in Israel, but it becomes God's representative to the people. They will be entrusted with priestly duties, and caring for the tabernacle (and later the temple). So, the latter generations redeem themselves from the curse of their father. The bible does say that a Father's action can affect their children for many generations. But it also says, that a son is not held guilty for a father's actions. We can change the pattern, we don't have to remain identified by our earthly fathers. We can be different. We can be redeemed by the blood of the lamb and freed to live a different type of life.

 

PONDER:

1. Is there a history in my family that needs to be broken?
2. We are not defined by our family but by our actions. We can write our own history. Are we seeking God to redeem our lives for his glory?

 

PRAYER: My family history is dominated by out-of-wedlock births, multiple marriages, and alcoholism. But by the grace of God that has all changed in my life and my children. Among my siblings, it continues. I pray for grace to protect my family, and the new grandchildren. I pray that we are all setting a new course. By your mercy, redeem us from our father's sins.