Without a doubt, Joseph receives the greatest of all the blessings from his father Jacob.
Ya’akov called his sons, and said: Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the days to come.
Genesis 49:1
This is how chapter 49 of the book of Genesis begins, where the patriarch Jacob is close to dying, yet before he goes, he prophesies about his sons what will come to pass in the last days. Let us take a close look at the words pronounced by the patriarch over the sons of Israel, which have relevance even to our days.
Reuben
The first words are for Reuben, Ya’akov’s firstborn.
“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength.” (Gen 49:3) Yet because Reuben lay with Bilhah, one of his father’s concubines, he did not become “the chief.” (Gen 49:4) We should remember that the role of the firstborn is to teach righteousness and justice (the Torah) to the rest of his brothers, and unfortunately Reuben did not fulfill that role.
Shim’on and Levi
Next are the words for Shim’on and Levi: “Weapons of iniquity… because in their anger they killed men.” (Gen 49:5–6) This was because Shim’on and Levi took vengeance when their sister Dinah was dishonored by Shechem, the son of Hamor.
Y’hudah
“Your brothers shall praise you… the children of your father shall bow down to you.” (Gen 49:8) Judah has a leadership that distinguishes him from his brothers, and by the biblical context we know that from Y’hudah comes the King of Israel — the Messiah!
Zebulun
To Z’vulun it was prophesied that he “shall dwell at the ships’ haven.” (Gen 49:13) Interestingly, there are historians who lean toward the idea that descendants of Z’vulun settled in the territories now known as the Netherlands. Holland is a commercial center, and through its ports it is an entry point to all of Europe.
Yissakhar
The tribe of Yissakhar devoted itself to studying the Torah and understanding the times (1 Chronicles 12:32). The Torah is a healing medicine for all people. It is believed that descendants of Issachar settled in nations now known as Switzerland and Finland. Both the Swiss and the Finnish have achievements in research. Switzerland is an international center for researchers, and traditionally many Nobel Prize winners, etc., live in Switzerland even if they were not born there. Switzerland is also known for its medical centers and pioneering innovations in certain fields of healing.
Dan
“Dan shall judge his people… ‘Your salvation I have hoped for, O Yehovah.’” (Gen 49:16, 18) Samson, one of the judges of Israel, was of the tribe of Dan and brought salvation to Israel from its enemies. Curiously, the Israeli military employs a last-resort war strategy called The Samson Option, described in a book by that same name by Seymour Hersh, which speaks about Israel’s ultimate nuclear deterrent that would be used in the event of devastating attack.
Gad
Jewish historians find a parallel between Gad and Elijah, since they think Elijah comes from the tribe of Gad, and Elijah points toward the redemption of Israel as well as the restoration of children’s hearts to their fathers (Malachi 4:5–6).
Asher
“The bread of Asher shall be fat…” (Gen 49:20). The name Asher in Hebrew can suggest affirmation — what we receive when our prayers are answered. “Asher” also connotes blessing and happiness.
Naftali
“Naftali, a deer let loose, that shall bring forth beautiful words…” (Gen 49:21). Beautiful words signifies pleasant words that clarify judgment and establish wise counsel.
Yosef
Without a doubt Joseph receives the greatest of all blessings from his father Jacob. Some Jewish thinkers identify Yosef today primarily with the English-speaking peoples of British descent, including North America. These peoples are not always as good as they like to be described; in fact, they are criticized in many ways, yet the element of justice exists among them. They assume that things must go in a certain order according to established principles.
Binyamin
Lastly comes Binyamin, the youngest son of Ya’akov. There is a blessing known as “Oh Jerusalem” which resembles Binyamin in that his portion came to occupy much of Yerushalayim. Today Binyamin is largely identified with Y’hudah, possibly with the Ashkenazi section associated with Jews who settled in Germany. Yerushalayim is the holy city, the chief city of the Israelite tribes, and the future world capital.
These are the twelve tribes of Israel and their respective prophecies from Ya’akov their father, for the days that are to come.
Shalom!