1. Chapter 48 of Gensis opens with a message that Joseph receive. What was he told? Gen. 48:1.
2. Joseph took his sons Manasseh and Ephraim to Israel his father, after learning that he was sicik. What was the purpose? Gen. 48:9.

Another important matter demanded attention; the sons of Joseph were to be formally instated among the children of Israel. Joseph, coming for a last interview with his father, brought with him Ephraim and Manasseh. These youths were connected, through their mother, with the highest order of the Egyptian priesthood; and the position of their father opened to them the avenues to wealth an distinction, should they choose to connect themselves with the Egyptians. It was Joseph's desire, however, that they should unite with their own people. He manifested his faith in the covenant promise, in behalf of his sons renouncing all the honors that the court of Egypt offered, for a place among the despised shepherd tribes, to whom had been entrusted the oracles of God. {PP 234.2}

3. After talking about Joseph sons in verse 5 why did he ask in verse 8 “Who are these?”

Jacob's eyes were dim with age, and he had not been aware of the presence of the young men; but now, catching the outline of their forms, he said, "Who are these?" On being told, he added, "Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them." As they came nearer, the patriarch embraced and kissed them, solemnly laying his hands upon their heads in benediction. Then he uttered the prayer, "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads." There was no spirit of self-dependence, no reliance upon human power or cunning now. God had been his preserver and support. There was no complaint of the evil days in the past. Its trials and sorrows were no longer regarded as things that were "against" him. Memory recalled only His mercy and loving-kindness who had been with him throughout his pilgrimage. {PP 234.4}

Note:

Through the pen of inspiration we know that upon attain the “Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness” Jacob (Israel), no longer focused on his trials, but rather upon the grace and mercy of God almighty. Patience had her perfect work and now he was complete.

The blessing ended, Jacob gave his son the assurance--leaving for the generations to come, through long years of bondage and sorrow, this testimony to his faith--"Behold, I die; but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers." {PP 235.1}

Note:

God ways most often does not make sense to us. Often times things seem to be in the reverse. The next few verse in Genesis 48 appear to follow the same theme as did the time of Jacob and Esau, where the younger was to receive the birth-right. Birth-right had always belonged to the first born yet we shall see even in the case of Joseph how this was again reverse once more for the purpose of God's choosing.

4. Which of Joseph's too sons were the eldest? Gen. 48:14.
5. In the midst of the consecration of Joseph's sons, Israel's anounced his personal testimony. What is the testimony? Gen. 48:15,16.

6. Which one of Joseph's son received the birth-right blessing? Gen. 48:14.
7. Who did Joseph feel about his father giving the birthright to the younger boy? Gen. 48:17.
8. What response did Joseph receive after correcting his father for blessing the younger boy? Gen 48:19.
9. What promise did Israel leave with Joseph his son? Gen. 48:21.

The blessing ended, Jacob gave his son the assurance--leaving for the generations to come, through long years of bondage and sorrow, this testimony to his faith--"Behold, I die; but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers." {PP 235.1}

10. The sons of Jacob was called together when he (Israel/Jacob) was dying. What was the purpose of this meeting? Gen. 49:1.

At the last all the sons of Jacob were gathered about his dying bed. And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, "Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father," "that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days." Often and anxiously he had thought of their future, and had endeavored to picture to himself the history of the different tribes. Now as his children waited to receive his last blessing the Spirit of Inspiration rested upon him, and before him in prophetic vision the future of his descendants was unfolded. One after another the names of his sons were mentioned, the character of each was described, and the future history of the tribes was briefly foretold. {PP 235.2 - emphasis supplied}

Note

Through the character sons of Israel (Jacob) are described the tweleve tribes that are often referred to in the bible up to the end of time.

11. As the first born what would the tribes of Reuben to signify? Gen. 49:3.
12. Shall the tribe of Reuben thrive to that position? Why or Why not? Gen. 49:4.
13. Which part of Gen. 49:4 lets us know that Reuben lost his birthright?

Thus the father pictured what should have been the position of Reuben as the first-born son; but his grievous sin at Edar had made him unworthy of the birthright blessing. Jacob continued-- "Unstable as water, Thou shalt not excel." {PP 235.3}

The priesthood was apportioned to Levi, the kingdom and the Messianic promise to Judah, and the double portion of the inheritance to Joseph. The tribe of Reuben never rose to any eminence in Israel; it was not so numerous as Judah, Joseph, or Dan, and was among the first that were carried into captivity. {PP 235.4}

14. In Jacob's (Israel) passing words, what did Simeon and Levi signify? Gen. 49:5.

Next in age to Reuben were Simeon and Levi. They had been united in their cruelty toward the Shechemites, and they had also been the most guilty in the selling of Joseph. Concerning them it was declared--
"I will divide them in Jacob,
And scatter them in Israel." {PP 235.5}

15. What weakness of character did Jacob point out for Simeon and Levi? Gen. 49:6.
16. Towards the significance of Simeon's and Levi's curelty what were their portion as a tribe? Gen. 49:7.

At the numbering of Israel, just before their entrance to Canaan, Simeon was the smallest tribe. Moses, in his last blessing, made no reference to Simeon. In the settlement of Canaan this tribe had only a small portion of Judah's lot, and such families as afterward became powerful formed different colonies and settled in territory outside the borders of the Holy Land. Levi also received no inheritance except forty-eight cities scattered in different parts of the land. In the case of this tribe, however, their fidelity of Jehovah when the other tribes apostatized, secured their appointment to the sacred service of the sanctuary, and thus the curse was changed into a blessing. {PP 235.6}

17. What is the meaning of names Simeon and Levi? Concordance (H8095, H3878 respectively).
18. What was pronounced to be in the the tribes of Simeon's and Levi's descendants? Gen. 49:5.
19. How was Judah's tribe depicted in Jacob's prophecy? Gen. 49:8.

The crowning blessings of the birthright were transferred to Judah. The significance of the name--which denotes praise,--is unfolded in the prophetic history of this tribe... {PP 236.1}

The lion, king of the forest, is a fitting symbol of this tribe, from which came David, and the Son of David, Shiloh, the true "Lion of the tribe of Judah," to whom all powers shall finally bow and all nations render homage. {PP 236.2}

For more on the Tribe of Judah see Sabbath Note.

20. Zebulun was next; what is the meaning of his name? (Concordance H2074)
21. Was it prophecied that the tribe of his descendants would be prosperous? (give detials) Gen. 49:13.
22. With a meaning like "he will bring a reward" (H3485), what was to be the significance of Issachar's tribe? Gen. 49:14.

23. What was the tribe of Issachar's strength to be used for? Gen. 49:15.
24. In Jacob's (Israel) prophecy the tribe of Dan was to do what? Gen. 49:16.
25. Verse 17 of Genesis 49 refers to the tribe of Dan as a serpent by the way. What does serpent mean in this context? (Give a biblical reason for your answer.)
26. Would Dan be faithful to God? Gen. 49:18.
27. The tribe of Gad (invade, overcome) was to be invaded. What was to happen to them at last? Gen. 49:19.
28. Did the tribe of Asher who wandered away from God like many of the Israelite “yield royal dainties”, as prophecied by Jacob (Israel) in Gen. 49:20? 2 Chron. 30:11.
29. Was the prophecy concerning Naphtali good? Gen. 49:21.

For most of his children Jacob foretold a prosperous future. At last the name of Joseph was reached, and the father's heart overflowed as he invoked blessings upon "the head of him that was separate from his brethren" {PP 236.3}

30. On which tribe was the crowning blessing placed? (Identify the blessings) Gensis 49:22-26.
31. The tribe of Benjamin was to be successful, what words in Gen. 49:27 denotes this?

Jacob had ever been a man of deep and ardent affection; his love for his sons was strong and tender, and his dying testimony to them was not the utterance of partiality or resentment. He had forgiven them all, and he loved them to the last. His paternal tenderness would have found expression only in words of encouragement and hope; but the power of God rested upon him, and under the influence of Inspiration he was constrained to declare the truth, however painful. {PP 237.1}

Jacob's last years brought an evening of tranquillity and repose after a troubled and weary day. Clouds had gathered dark above his path, yet his sun set clear, and the radiance of heaven illumined his parting hours. Says the Scripture, "At evening time it shall be light." Zechariah 14:7. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." Psalm 37:37. {PP 237.3}

"Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness" Summary

Jacob had sinned, and had deeply suffered. Many years of toil, care, and sorrow had been his since the day when his great sin caused him to flee from his father's tents. A homeless fugitive, separated from his mother, whom he never saw again; laboring seven years for her whom he loved, only to be basely cheated; toiling twenty years in the service of a covetous and grasping kinsman; seeing his wealth increasing, and sons rising around him, but finding little joy in the contentious and divided household; distressed by his daughter's shame, by her brothers' revenge, by the death of Rachel, by the unnatural crime of Reuben, by Judah's sin, by the cruel deception and malice practiced toward Joseph--how long and dark is the catalogue of evils spread out to view! Again and again he had reaped the fruit of that first wrong deed. Over and over he saw repeated among his sons the sins of which he himself had been guilty. But bitter as had been the discipline, it had accomplished its work. The chastening, though grievous, had yielded "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11. {PP 237.4 emphasis supplied}

Note: Tribe of Judah

The Saviour is presented before John under the symbols of "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and of "a Lamb as it had been slain." Revelation 5:5, 6. These symbols represent the union of omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love. The Lion of Judah, so terrible to the rejectors of His grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful. The pillar of fire that speaks terror and wrath to the transgressor of God's law is a token of light and mercy and deliverance to those who have kept His commandments.