Bible Stories for Adults

Jacob Blesses Judah

Genesis 49:8-12

Next Week - The Passover (Exodus 12:1-30; Luke 22:7-20)
Bible Words to Remember:
It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. Romans 9:16

Why did Jesus speak in parables?
Matthew 13:10-16
Were the people before Jesus unable to understand God's plan because they weren't faithful enough?
Matthew 13:17
How long had people been unable to understand the mysteries of God's plan?
Matthew 13:34-35

Who believed he was specially chosen to reveal God's mystery to the world?
Ephesians 3:1-5
Was he chosen for this task because he especially deserved it?
Ephesians 3:7-9
What is this mystery?
Ephesians 3:6
Was this inclusion of non-Jews an afterthought?
Ephesians 1:4-5

Had God really planned to take the faithful to heaven since the beginning of time?
Matthew 25:34
How long did man wait before first hearing God's promise of saving grace through Christ?
Genesis 3:15
How did God reveal the mystery of His grace after condemning Cain for murdering Abel?
Genesis 4:15

What promise of grace did God give after destroying the wicked earth in a flood?
Genesis 9:8-11
What mark did God offer to remind mankind of this promise?
Genesis 9:12-15

What did man do next that invoked God's judgment?
Genesis 11:4, 9
What promise of grace did God give after scattering and confusing vain mankind?
Genesis 12:1-3

What did God do for Abram the year before Isaac would be born?
Genesis 17:1-2
What details did God give that explained the promise He had given 24 years earlier?
Genesis 17:3-8
What mark did God give as a permanent reminder of His promise?
Genesis 17:10-11

Who would receive these eternal promises after Abraham?
Genesis 17:15-16, 19
Did Abraham agree with God's wisdom?
Genesis 17:17-18
Had God forgotten that Ishmael owned Abraham's legal birthright?
Genesis 17:20-21
What did the birthright mean to a firstborn son?
Genesis 27:29
Deuteronomy 21:17
Genesis 27:4
Aren't all of Abraham's descendants heirs to the promise given to him?
Romans 9:6-9

Did God intervene in any way with the birth of the next generation?
Genesis 25:21
Did Isaac allow God to direct the covenant birthright of the next generation?
Genesis 27:30-33
When Isaac learned of his mistake, did he try to take back God's blessing and give it to Esau?
Genesis 27:34-35, 39-40
Could Isaac have been more careful and made sure the covenant promise went to Esau?
Romans 9:10-16

Did God intervene in any way with the birth of the next generation?
Genesis 29:31-35
How did Rachel, the loved wife, try to affect God's plans for the covenant family?
Genesis 30:1-8
What did Leah think of her sister's tricks?
Genesis 30:9-13
Did Leah regret doing this when God opened her womb again?
Genesis 30:17-21

What famous son did Rachel bear when she finally became pregnant?
Genesis 30:22-24
How did Jacob feel about this son of the wife he loved?
Genesis 37:3-4
What happened when Rachel had her second son?
Genesis 35:16-18

Did Jacob try to give the covenant birthright to his firstborn, Reuben?
Genesis 49:1-4
Note: No judge, prophet or prince came from tribe of Reuben; Territory taken by Moab
What did Jacob refer to in his condemnation of Reuben?
Genesis 35:22
Was Reuben irresponsible as an eldest brother?
Genesis 37:19-22, 29

Did the covenant birthright go to one of the next sons in line?
Genesis 49:5-7
What incident revealed Simeon's and Levi's violent sides?
Genesis 34:1-2, 11-15, 24-25
Jacob prophesied that the tribes of Simeon & Levi would be scattered in Israel. Did this happen?
Joshua 19:1
Joshua 13:33; 21:3

Did Jacob give the covenant birthright to his favorite son or his youngest son?
Genesis 49:22-27
Note: Joseph's fruit included Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah (judges) and Samuel (prophet)

How did Jacob further bless his favorite son Joseph?
Genesis 48:5, 15-16
What did Joseph do when Jacob started to bless Ephraim over Manasseh, the firstborn?
Genesis 48:14, 17-20

How was the tribe of Benjamin later seen as a ravenous wolf?
Judges 20:12-14, 21
What happened to Benjamin as a result of this battle?
Judges 20:46-48

How did Jacob pass on the covenant birthright to Judah?
Genesis 49:8-10
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies (Ps 18:40)
father's sons will bow down to you (2 Samuel 5:1-3)
You are a lion's cub (Rev 5:5)
scepter will not depart ...until Shiloh comes (Luke 2:1)
Shiloh (Isaiah 9:6)
obedience of the nations (Matt 28:18-20)

How does Jacob describe the spiritual blessings and treasures brought by this scepter of Judah?
Genesis 49:11-12
tether his donkey to a vine
wash his garments in wine
eyes darker than wine, teeth whiter than milk

What blessings did Jacob have for his six other sons?
Genesis 49:13
Genesis 49:14-15
Genesis 49:16-18
Genesis 49:19
Genesis 49:20
Genesis 49:21