Genesis - the end

The story of Genesis ends today read chapters 48, 49, 50.
We've been talking about "blessings" at church lately. The significance of blessings is never more clear than in the 48th chapter, as Jacob details the blessings to each of his sons. Notice how he does not confer headship in the clan to Reuben, and neither to Simeon or Levi, but rather goes to the fourth born, Judah.

"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his."

He blesses Judah's role as the head of the tribe, and behind all that he says, he prophesies the coming of the Messiah through the line of Judah.

The death of Jacob leads to an elaborate honoring of his burial. That is followed quickly by the concerns among Joseph's brothers that Jacob's death may lead to Joseph's retribution...not so. Joseph's character is firmly rooted in the character of God. He states:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

As the chapter ends, think about this: Genesis began in a garden where God walked among his people; and it ended in graves...a lot happened in between, but the lesson is that sin is destructive and redemption is costly.


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