September 2 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Genesis 49:13–18

Devotional

In our thoughts we stand at the deathbed of Jacob. He has come to the end of an eventful life. Life has been a learning experience for this dying father. It has been a life experience in which Jacob had to learn much and unlearn still more. Jacob has especially learned two things, namely, what sin is and what grace is. Those who learn these two lessons in life have not lived in vain.

Twelve sons stand around this deathbed. They are listening to the last words of their father. Every one of them is personally addressed. Every one receives a message, either a promise or a threat. This is done at the expense of Jacob’s own flesh and blood. If it had been up to Jacob, he would rather have pronounced the promise of the Messiah on Joseph or Benjamin than on Judah. But being before the gates of eternity, Jacob’s spirit is lifted up above his flesh.

Jacob is not only a father who takes leave of his children, but he is also a patriarch, who by the light of the Holy Spirit addresses his twelve sons as the twelve tribes of Israel, as the twelve representatives of the church of God. This means that the church was present when Jacob was about to die. The words of our text therefore stand in this connection, so that all spiritual children of Jacob will hear that there is still a future for the church militant on earth.

“I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.” This is a precious deathbed prayer. It is the expectation of salvation for one who is about to die. We only count the living to be blessed, but Scripture says: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” When Jacob utters this prayer, he perceives that salvation lies beyond death. This is really not the end of life, but actually where life starts. Death is no more death. It is only an entrance into eternal life. Dying becomes profitable. It is an eternal gain. It is a means to be released from the consequences of sin, including all the misery and wretchedness, but above all to be redeemed from sin itself.

We do not say that Jacob had a desire for death. Death is not to be desired. But at this moment Jacob clearly has a desire for salvation. Death still remains the worst thing, but it brings the best for a child of God. Bitter death is made sweet for Jacob, since by grace he may see what is still to come.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.