Jacob Chanikuzhy

Patriarch Jacob’s final blessing of his twelve sons (Genesis 49) is of great interest to the biblical scholars on several accounts, not least of which is the question whether it is a real prophesy by the patriarch or whether it reflects a later historical situation. But, here our interest is not in the questionable historicity of the text but the unquestionable veracity of the text in presenting the true picture of the foundational family of Israel.

According to the story in the book of Genesis 49, Jacob calls around his deathbed his twelve sons. What a blessing it is for a father to have all his children alive and around his deathbed! But looking at the face of each of his sons elicited fond or/and disgusting memories in the minds of Jacob. Reuben was his first-born son, the fruit of his vigour and youthfulness. However, it was Reuben who offended Jacob most grievously and personally by sleeping with his wife (Genesis 35:22) – a shame no family would ever dare to tell to the public. But, Jacob reproaches Reuben thereof in the presence of his brothers. Being the eldest, Reuben should have been the leader of his brothers. But his lust has disgraced him in the sight of his family and rid him of his commanding power.

Simeon and Levi also grieved Jacob through their wanton vandalism against Shechem (Genesis 34). It is worth noting what finally happened to these two most mighty patriarchs who employed their power most brutally. They simply lost their territory and could no longer exist as a separate tribe! While other less powerful tribes could manage to preserve their territories, these strong patriarchs lost their land. The territory of Simeon was absorbed by Judah and the tribe of Levi had to be satisfied with cities in other tribes!

Judah receives only praises from his father. His history shows his praiseworthy deeds. It was he who saved Joseph from death and it was he himself who interceded for Benjamin before Pharaoh. He was willing even to his risk his life for the security of Benjamin. He was honest and righteous to admit his fault against Tamar and to admit her rights. Judah was not perfect, but he was honest to admit it and selfless to the core in his concern for his brothers and truly heroic in caring for them. This has made him their esteemed leader.

While Judah was a military head, his brother Zebulun was a merchant and Issachar was a cultivator. Gad was Jacob’s son by a concubine. Still he gave rise to a tribe of judges. It shows that one’s lowly origins need not pull one back from achieving greater heights. While Issachar had a peaceful life in a countryside, Gad was destined to live a soldier’s life with joys of victory and sorrows of defeat.

Asher seems to be the richest among Jacob’s sons enjoying the luxuries of life. Naphtali is marked for his friendly dealings and service mindedness. His kind and courteous words made him a beloved of all.

The largest and fullest blessing Jacob lavishes upon Joseph, the saviour of his family. Through his two sons, Joseph receives the double portion due to Reuben. Finally, we see the youngest son Benjamin who has become a successful warrior.

Thus, the family of Jacob includes winners and losers, heroes and villains, saints and sinners, generals and soldiers, merchants and farmers, judges and labourers, cruel and sympathetic… Jacob himself differentiate them as lion (Judah), ass (Issachar), serpent (Dan), hind (Naphtali), wolf (Benjamin), and a fruitful tree (Joseph). All different people, but all constituted a single family.

Family of Jacob was the nucleus of the Jewish nation and as such it is of irreplaceable significance for the people of Israel. However, this foundational family of Israel was not an ideal “holy family.” Not all of its members were examples of excellence and moral virtues. Nor were they all heroes worthy of our admiration and emulation. The bible neither hesitates to expose their falls nor attempts to cover up the foibles and follies of these patriarchs of Israel. Israel’s history shows that it is this same family and its progeny with all their merits and demerits that God chose and formed as his own people. A strong faith in the power of God who works in human history and the history of the church will enable us appreciate our strengths and confess our failures. The masks we wear can betray neither God nor his people but only ourselves.