Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「這一切是以色列的十二支派；這也是他們的父親對他們所說的話，為他們所祝的福，都是按着各人的福分為他們祝福。」——創世記49:28
引言
創世記49章記載雅各人生最後一段非常重要的說話。在第48章，雅各先為以法蓮和瑪拿西祝福；到了第49章，他把十二個兒子召聚到面前，對他們說：「你們都來聚集，我好把你們日後必遇的事告訴你們。」——創世記49:1
這不只是父親臨終前的安慰和勉勵，而是雅各按着每一個兒子的生命狀況，說出他們和後代將要面對的道路。但當我們讀這一章時，會發現雅各所說的話並不全是稱讚。他指出流便的放縱和不穩定，也指出西緬和利未被怒氣和暴力控制。這些話聽起來更像責備和警告，但第28節卻說，雅各是按着各人的福分為他們祝福。
為甚麼指出人的問題，仍然被稱為祝福？因為在神的國裏，真正的祝福不只是事情順利，也不只是聽見令人舒服的話。真正的祝福，是神讓我們看見生命的真相，使我們知道自己正在走甚麼道路，也讓我們知道仍然有一條可以回轉的路。
很多時候，我們不願意面對自己的問題，反而為自己的情緒、反應和選擇找理由。但神的話不會只安慰我們，卻不處理我們；也不會只祝福我們，卻讓我們繼續停留在錯誤的道路上。
耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命；若不藉着我，沒有人能到父那裏去。」——約翰福音14:6
耶穌是真理，讓我們看見生命的真相；耶穌是道路，帶領我們回到父神面前；耶穌也是生命，使願意回轉的人重新被潔淨、塑造和更新。
一、神顯明問題，使我們停止偏離
「你放縱情慾，滾沸如水，必不得居首位。」——創世記49:4
流便本來是長子，應當承受尊榮和領導的位置，但他的生命像滾沸的水一樣不穩定，任由情慾控制，最終失去了本來可以承受的位置。西緬和利未也一樣。他們不是沒有力量，而是力量被怒氣控制。
「西緬和利未是弟兄；他們的刀劍是殘忍的器具。」——創世記49:5
當我們不願意面對自己的驕傲、情慾、怒氣、嫉妒、苦毒和自我中心，我們很容易把偏差當成正常，把捆綁當成性格。所以，當神的話光照我們，這本身就是祝福。因為看見，才有機會停下來；承認，才有機會回轉；願意面對，生命才有機會被改變。
二、神開出道路，使我們可以回轉
「圭必不離猶大，杖必不離他兩腳之間。」——創世記49:10
猶大的過去並不完全。他曾提議把約瑟賣掉，也曾在他瑪的事情上顯出生命的失敗。但後來，他願意承認自己的錯，也願意為便雅憫承擔責任，甚至代替他留下作奴僕。
「現在求你容僕人住下，替這童子作我主的奴僕。」——創世記44:33
從前的猶大，可以出賣自己的弟兄；後來的猶大，卻願意代替自己的弟兄。這就是生命經過神塑造之後的改變。回轉不是繼續照自己的意思生活，卻只等待神賜下我們想要的祝福。真正的回轉，是承認自己原來所走的路不對，放下自己的方法，重新走回神的道路。神的赦免不一定抹去過去所有的後果，卻能使我們的過去不再成為生命最後的定義。
「我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪。」——約翰一書1:9
三、神改變生命，使我們成為祝福
「都是按着各人的福分為他們祝福。」——創世記49:28
年輕時的雅各，不斷用自己的方法抓住祝福。但到了生命晚年，經過神多年的對付和塑造，他不再只是為自己抓住祝福，而成為一個傳遞祝福的人。在第47章，他為法老祝福；第48章，他為以法蓮和瑪拿西祝福；到了第49章，他為十二個兒子祝福。
從前，雅各常常為自己抓取；現在，他能夠按照神的心意，把祝福傳遞出去。
真正的祝福，不一定是說人想聽的話，而是幫助人走回神的道路。當我們願意讓神光照、修剪和改變，我們的生命也會從只為自己抓住，變成能夠承接和傳遞。
我們不再只是問：「神可以給我甚麼？」
而是開始問：「神要藉着我的生命成就甚麼？我可以怎樣成為別人的祝福？」
總結
創世記49章讓我們看見，神的祝福不只是安慰和稱讚，也包括光照、責備和提醒。流便、西緬和利未告訴我們，若不願意面對自己的問題，生命的偏差會帶來長遠的後果。猶大卻讓我們看見，失敗並不是終點。當人願意承認、悔改和接受神的塑造，生命仍然可以被改變。雅各的一生更讓我們看見，神能把一個只為自己抓住祝福的人，塑造成一個傳遞祝福的人。
今天，當神藉着祂的話讓我們看見生命中的問題，我們不要逃避，也不要為自己找理由。神的光照不是拒絕，而是恩典；神的責備不是定罪，而是挽回。只要我們願意面對生命，停止偏離，重新走回神的道路，神能救贖我們的過去，改變我們的現在，也使我們成為祂祝福別人的出口。
省察
- 今天神的話正在光照我生命中哪一個不願意面對的問題？
- 我是否願意停止為自己找理由，重新走回神的道路？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢藉着祢的話光照我的生命。求祢使我不逃避、不掩飾，也不再為自己找理由。主耶穌，祢是真理、道路和生命，求祢帶領我離開錯誤的道路，重新回到父神面前。求祢赦免我、潔淨我，也塑造我的生命，使我不再只為自己抓住祝福，而能成為祢恩典和祝福的出口。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 49
1 雅各叫了他的兒子們來，說：「你們都來聚集，我好把你們日後必遇的事告訴你們。 2 雅各的兒子們，你們要聚集而聽，要聽你們父親以色列的話。
3 魯本哪，你是我的長子，是我力量強壯的時候生的，本當大有尊榮，權力超眾。 4 但你放縱情慾，滾沸如水，必不得居首位，因為你上了你父親的床，汙穢了我的榻。
5 西緬和利未是弟兄，他們的刀劍是殘忍的器具。 6 我的靈啊，不要與他們同謀！我的心哪，不要與他們聯絡！因為他們趁怒殺害人命，任意砍斷牛腿大筋。 7 他們的怒氣暴烈可咒，他們的憤恨殘忍可詛。我要使他們分居在雅各家裡，散住在以色列地中。
8 猶大啊，你弟兄們必讚美你，你手必掐住仇敵的頸項，你父親的兒子們必向你下拜。 9 猶大是個小獅子。我兒啊，你抓了食便上去。你屈下身去，臥如公獅，蹲如母獅，誰敢惹你？ 10 圭必不離猶大，杖必不離他兩腳之間，直等細羅來到，萬民都必歸順。 11 猶大把小驢拴在葡萄樹上，把驢駒拴在美好的葡萄樹上。他在葡萄酒中洗了衣服，在葡萄汁中洗了袍褂。 12 他的眼睛必因酒紅潤，他的牙齒必因奶白亮。
13 西布倫必住在海口，必成為停船的海口，他的境界必延到西頓。
14 以薩迦是個強壯的驢，臥在羊圈之中。 15 他以安靜為佳，以肥地為美，便低肩背重，成為服苦的僕人。
16 但必判斷他的民，做以色列支派之一。 17 但必做道上的蛇，路中的虺，咬傷馬蹄，使騎馬的墜落於後。 18 耶和華啊，我向來等候你的救恩。
19 迦得必被敵軍追逼，他卻要追逼他們的腳跟。
20 亞設之地必出肥美的糧食，且出君王的美味。
21 拿弗他利是被釋放的母鹿，他出佳美的言語。
22 約瑟是多結果子的樹枝，是泉旁多結果的枝子，他的枝條探出牆外。 23 弓箭手將他苦害，向他射箭，逼迫他。 24 但他的弓仍舊堅硬，他的手健壯敏捷，這是因以色列的牧者，以色列的磐石，就是雅各的大能者。 25 你父親的神必幫助你，那全能者必將天上所有的福、地裡所藏的福，以及生產乳養的福，都賜給你。 26 你父親所祝的福，勝過我祖先所祝的福，如永世的山嶺，至極的邊界。這些福必降在約瑟的頭上，臨到那與弟兄迥別之人的頂上。
27 便雅憫是個撕掠的狼，早晨要吃他所抓的，晚上要分他所奪的。」
28 這一切是以色列的十二支派。這也是他們的父親對他們所說的話，為他們所祝的福，都是按著各人的福分為他們祝福。 29 他又囑咐他們說：「我將要歸到我列祖那裡。你們要將我葬在赫人以弗崙田間的洞裡，與我祖我父在一處， 30 就是在迦南地幔利前麥比拉田間的洞。那洞和田是亞伯拉罕向赫人以弗崙買來為業，做墳地的。 31 他們在那裡葬了亞伯拉罕和他妻子撒拉，又在那裡葬了以撒和他妻子利百加，我也在那裡葬了利亞。 32 那塊田和田間的洞原是向赫人買的。」 33 雅各囑咐眾子已畢，就把腳收在床上，氣絕而死，歸到列祖那裡去了。
“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.” — Genesis 49:28, NKJV
Introduction
Genesis 49 records some of Jacob’s final and most important words. In chapter 48, Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh. Then in chapter 49, he called all twelve of his sons together and said: “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days.” — Genesis 49:1, NKJV
These were not only the comforting words of a father near the end of his life. Jacob spoke according to the true condition of each son’s life and declared what they and their descendants would face in the future.
But when we read this chapter, we find that not all of Jacob’s words sound positive. He spoke about Reuben’s lack of self-control and instability. He also spoke about Simeon and Levi, whose lives were controlled by anger and violence.
These words sound more like correction and warning than blessing. Yet verse 28 says that Jacob blessed each son according to his own blessing. Why can the exposing of a person’s problems still be called a blessing?
Because in the kingdom of God, blessing is not only about things going well. It is also not only about hearing words that make us feel comfortable. True blessing is when God shows us the truth about our lives. He helps us see which road we are walking on, and He also shows us that there is still a way to turn back.
Many times, we do not want to face our own problems. Instead, we give reasons for our emotions, reactions, and choices. But the Word of God will not only comfort us without dealing with us. God will not bless us while allowing us to remain on the wrong path.
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:6, NKJV
Jesus is the truth, showing us the true condition of our lives. Jesus is the way, leading us back to the Father. Jesus is also the life, cleansing, shaping, and renewing those who are willing to turn back.
- God Reveals Our Problems So We Can Stop Going the Wrong Way
“Unstable as water, you shall not excel.” — Genesis 49:4, NKJV
Reuben was the firstborn son. He should have received honour and leadership in the family. But his life was unstable like boiling water. He allowed his desires to control him, and in the end, he lost the position he could have received.
Simeon and Levi were the same. They were not without strength, but their strength was controlled by anger. “Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.” — Genesis 49:5, NKJV
When we are unwilling to face our pride, sinful desires, anger, jealousy, bitterness, and selfishness, we may begin to treat wrong behaviour as normal and bondage as part of our personality.
Therefore, when God’s Word shines light on us, that itself is a blessing.
When we see, we can stop. When we admit the truth, we can turn back. When we are willing to face our lives, we can begin to change.
- God Opens a Way So We Can Turn Back
“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet.” — Genesis 49:10, NKJV
Judah’s past was not perfect. He once suggested selling Joseph. He also failed badly in the matter concerning Tamar. But later, Judah was willing to admit his wrong. He also became willing to take responsibility for Benjamin and even offered to remain as a slave in Benjamin’s place.
“Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord.” — Genesis 44:33, NKJV
The Judah who once sold his brother later became willing to take his brother’s place. This is what happens when a life is shaped by God.
Turning back does not mean continuing to live in our own way while waiting for God to give us the blessing we want. True repentance means admitting that the road we were walking on was wrong, laying down our own way, and returning to God’s way.
God’s forgiveness may not remove every result of our past actions, but it can stop our past from becoming the final definition of our lives.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” — 1 John 1:9, NKJV
- God Changes Our Lives So We Can Become a Blessing
“He blessed each one according to his own blessing.” — Genesis 49:28, NKJV
When Jacob was young, he often used his own way to take hold of blessing.
But near the end of his life, after many years of God’s correction and shaping, Jacob was no longer only trying to receive blessing for himself. He became someone who passed blessing on to others.
- In chapter 47, he blessed Pharaoh.
- In chapter 48, he blessed Ephraim and Manasseh.
- In chapter 49, he blessed his twelve sons.
In the past, Jacob often tried to take for himself. Now, he was able to pass on blessing according to the will of God.
True blessing is not always saying what people want to hear. True blessing helps people return to God’s way. When we are willing to let God shine His light on us, prune us, and change us, our lives can move from only receiving to giving and passing on blessing.
We will no longer only ask: “What can God give me?”
Instead, we will begin to ask: “What does God want to do through my life? How can I become a blessing to others?”
Conclusion
Genesis 49 shows us that God’s blessing includes more than comfort and encouragement. It can also include correction, warning, and the revealing of truth.
Reuben, Simeon, and Levi show us that when we refuse to face our problems, the wrong direction of our lives can bring long-term results.
Judah shows us that failure does not have to be the end. When a person is willing to admit, repent, and accept God’s shaping, that life can still be changed.
Jacob’s life also shows us that God can change a person who only wants to receive blessing into someone who passes blessing on to others.
Today, when God uses His Word to show us the problems in our lives, we should not run away or make excuses. God’s light is not rejection; it is grace. God’s correction is not condemnation; it is restoration.
When we are willing to face our lives, stop going the wrong way, and return to God’s way, He can redeem our past, change our present, and make us a channel of blessing to others.
Reflection
- What area of my life is God showing me today that I have been unwilling to face?
- Am I willing to stop making excuses and return to God’s way?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for using Your Word to shine light on my life. Help me not to run away, hide, or make excuses. Lord Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and the life. Lead me away from the wrong path and bring me back to the Father.
Please forgive me, cleanse me, and shape my life. Help me not to live only to receive blessing for myself, but to become a channel of Your grace and blessing to others.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Genesis 49
1 And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
2 “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob,
And listen to Israel your father.
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn,
My might and the beginning of my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.
4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel,
Because you went up to your father’s bed;
Then you defiled it—
He went up to my couch.
5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
6 Let not my soul enter their council;
Let not my honor be united to their assembly;
For in their anger they slew a man,
And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel!
I will divide them in Jacob
And scatter them in Israel.
8 “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;
Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father’s children shall bow down before you.
9 Judah is a lion’s whelp;
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
11 Binding his donkey to the vine,
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.
13 “Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea;
He shall become a haven for ships,
And his border shall adjoin Sidon.
14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,
Lying down between two burdens;
15 He saw that rest was good,
And that the land was pleasant;
He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden,
And became a band of slaves.
16 “Dan shall judge his people
As one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way,
A viper by the path,
That bites the horse’s heels
So that its rider shall fall backward.
18 I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!
19 “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him,
But he shall triumph at last.
20 “Bread from Asher shall be rich,
And he shall yield royal dainties.
21 “Naphtali is a deer let loose;
He uses beautiful words.
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough,
A fruitful bough by a well;
His branches run over the wall.
23 The archers have bitterly grieved him,
Shot at him and hated him.
24 But his bow remained in strength,
And the arms of his hands were made strong
By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
25 By the God of your father who will help you,
And by the Almighty who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
26 The blessings of your father
Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors,
Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.
They shall be on the head of Joseph,
And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.
27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
In the morning he shall devour the prey,
And at night he shall divide the spoil.”
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.
29 Then he charged them and said to them: “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.” 33 And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.
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