Genesis 49:1-2 (KJV): 1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
Genesis 49 opens with a poignant moment: Jacob, nearing death, gathers his twelve sons to speak over them. What follows is not just farewell, but prophecy. He says, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days” (Genesis 49:1, NKJV). While modern readers may interpret the phrase “the last days” as a reference to the end times, Jacob’s words are best understood as prophetic insight into the future of his sons and their descendants.
One of the most significant and detailed blessings is reserved for Joseph. It spans 61 Hebrew words—more than any other son receives. Jacob not only recounts Joseph’s hardships, but testifies to the sustaining power of God throughout his life.
Joseph’s Story, God’s Strength
Joseph is described as “a fruitful bough by a well,” a life that thrives even under harsh conditions. Though “the archers have bitterly grieved him,” Joseph’s “bow remained in strength” (Genesis 49:23–24). Why? Because, Jacob says, his strength was “by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.”
This blessing is rich with divine titles:
- The Mighty God of Jacob
- The God of your father
- The Almighty
- The Shepherd
- The Stone of Israel
Each title tells us something about God’s character. Jacob knew this God personally, and so did Joseph. Even after betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and years in prison, Joseph never wavered in faith. His blessing becomes a powerful testament to endurance rooted in trust in God.
Among these divine names is “The Shepherd.” In ancient times, shepherds were often seen as lowly or unclean. Yet, when Jesus Christ entered the world, the birth announcement went first to shepherds in the field. Why? Because God identifies with the humble—and because He Himself is the Divine Shepherd.
Scripture repeatedly calls out unfaithful shepherds (pastors and spiritual leaders) who neglect their flocks. In Ezekiel 34:6–10, God promises to hold these leaders accountable for the suffering of His people. Today, there are still pastors who distort the Gospel—preaching secular ideologies, affirming sin, and abandoning the truth of salvation through Christ. God’s judgment on unfaithful shepherds remains clear.
In contrast, Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep, and they know me… I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”
—John 10:14–15 (NLT)
Jesus lived as the True Shepherd. Though hated by the powerful and misunderstood by many, He loved His flock, cared for the broken, and laid down His life. Christians today can take heart: if our Shepherd suffered rejection, we can endure hardship too. He walks with us still.
God, Our Rock
Jacob also describes God as “the Stone of Israel.” In Scripture, God is often compared to a rock—a source of stability, protection, and permanence.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer… my stronghold.”
—Psalm 18:2 (NKJV)
Isaiah prophesied about a “precious cornerstone” that would become the foundation of God’s people (Isaiah 28:16). Jesus later revealed that this cornerstone was Himself.
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”
—Matthew 21:42 (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul echoed this truth in Ephesians 2, writing that believers are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, “Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20)
The “Stone of Israel” Jacob spoke of was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. He is our Cornerstone, our Rock, our unshakable foundation.
Jacob’s blessing over Joseph was not just a family moment—it was a declaration of who God is. These names—Shepherd, Stone, Almighty—remind us of the attributes of God we can cling to today.
Just as Joseph endured betrayal, hardship, and injustice yet held firm to faith, we too can be strengthened by the Mighty God. His blessings reach beyond generations: “the blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors… they shall be on the head of Joseph” (Genesis 49:26).
And because of Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, we are no longer strangers, but members of God’s household. We are heirs of the same promise. Our spiritual lives can be built on a true, lasting foundation.
Let us praise God—for being our Shepherd, our Stone, our Rock, and our Redeemer.
“The Shephard, the stone of Israel.” Rev. Dennis Alan RobertsFulbright, Shubert, NE, July 28, 2024
