As the aged Jacob neared death, he summoned his twelve sons to tell them "what shall befall you in
the last days" (Gen. 49:1). Some of the sons received predictions of good fortune from their father,
while others were told their future looked bleak. These sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, which settled the land of
Canaan several centuries later. Jacob's predictions proved to be accurate, as demonstrated by later events in their history.
Jacob's firstborn son Reuben, singled out as "unstable as water" (49:4),
was eventually absorbed by the tribe of Gad. Simeon likewise faded into obsecurity, and Levi evolved into the priestly tribe
that had no separate territory of its own (49:5-7). Benjamin was described as a "ravenous wolf"
(49:27), a symbol of greed.
Zebulun's tribe eventually settled on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and became a "haven for ships"
(49:13), in fulfillment of his father's prediction. Two tribes that became particularly prosperous
were Asher (49:20) and Joseph (49:22). Naphtali was described as a deer
(49:21), perhaps suggesting a spirit of freedom and grace. Gad (49:19),
Dan (49:16-18), and Issachar (49:14, 15) were singled out for their
physical strength and ability as warriors and military leaders.
But Jacob's most significant words were reserved for Judah, the tribe "whom your brothers shall praise"
(49:8) because it would produce a great ruler for the Hebrew people. From this tribe sprang David,
the most popular king in the history of Israel, and eventually the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose earthly father Joseph "was
of the house and lineage of David (Luke 2:4).
Jacob described his son Judah as a "lion's welp" (or cub), an animal that symbolizes strength and
royalty. Because Jesus traced His earthly lineage through this tribe, He was called "Lion of the tribe of Judah"
(Rev. 5:5).
