Genesis, 49
3. Reuben, my firstborn, you are my strength and the beginning of my sorrow: first in gifts, greater in authority.
3. Reuben, my firstborn, you are my strength and the beginning of my sorrow: first in gifts, greater in authority.
Genesis 49 is the chapter in which Jacob blesses his children before he dies. Each child receives an individual blessing, based on their past character and actions. The verses chosen below address topics such as leadership, justice, war and prosperity:
Deuteronomy 33:5: "Thus he became king in Jesurum, when the heads of the people gathered, all the tribes of Israel together." This verse talks about God's leadership over Israel and can be related to the blessing that Jacob gives Judah in Genesis 49:10, when he says the scepter will not move away from Judah, and that his descendants will come the leader.
Proverbs 29:14: "A king who judges the poor with equity will have his throne established forever." This verse talks about justice in leadership and can be related to the blessing that Jacob gives Ruben in Genesis 49:4, when he says that Rúben is unstable as water and will have no leadership position.
Psalm 144:1: "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands to war and my fingers to battle." This verse talks about the preparation for war and can be related to the blessing that Jacob gives the gad in Genesis 49:19, when he says that Gade will be attacked, but will resist as a combat troop.
Deuteronomy 33:13-16: "Benjamin is the beloved of the Lord; He lives safely by his side. The Lord keeps him all the time, and protects him as man protects his own son. At that time, Jacob blessed the tribe of Joseph. He said, 'May the Lord bless the earth with the best rain in heaven, with the moisture that comes from the depths of the earth, with the best fruits of the sun, with the most tasty harvests. " These verses talk about prosperity and can be related to the blessing that Jacob gives Joseph in Genesis 49:22-26, when he talks about how Joseph is a fruitful vine that grows abundantly.
Psalm 60:4: "But for those who fear you, she had a flag to be saved from all arches." This verse talks about salvation in difficult times and can be related to the blessing that Jacob gives dã in Genesis 49:16-18, when he talks about how he will judge his people and will be a serpent on the edge of the path that bites the horse.
“O santo silêncio nos permite ouvir mais claramente a voz de Deus”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
