At the beginning of chapter 49 Jacob says that he will tell them “what shall happen to you in the days to come.” So one could read chapter 49 as a prophecy.
But then at the end we are told that this is the blessing of his sons – with the blessing that was suitable to them. So in another sense this is a blessing.
But if you think about what a “blessing” is, you start realizing that blessing and prophecy are very closely related.
Think back to God's blessing of Adam and Eve: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” It is certainly a blessing (land and seed) But it is also a prediction.
Or think of God's blessing on Noah in 9:1ff: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth…”
Or think of Isaac's blessing of Jacob in 27:27ff: “May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you…”
The idea of a blessing has a future aspect to it. And as we have seen throughout Genesis, the blessing is not merely a wish, but it is a proclamation. Remember Isaac's comment to Esau, “I have blessed him. And yes, he shall be blessed.” (27:33)
In Genesis 49 Jacob is giving a benediction to his sons. It is a prophetic blessing – indeed, an eschatological blessing! And this is an important point for us to remember – because otherwise the blessings of Jacob can seem rather strange!
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