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Genesis 49 – Praying through the Bible #21 – A Prayer of Last Words
Death is knocking on your door; the family is gathered around your bed. Carefully you choose your last words, to be forever etched and echoing within your loved ones’ memories. Each family member approaches, and you share with them your last will and testament consisting only of words. In Patriarchal times, these are called blessings. Reading the blessings of Jacob, some of them are more like “blastings.”
Jacob’s final scene is reminiscent of his scandalous beginning. Instead of stealing and receiving blessings, he is giving. I’m not sure I would have wanted to be in that room being “blessed” with a “suitable blessing” (49.28). Filled with praise, personal censures, or predictions, some make you want to hide; others cause you to scratch your head.
After six blessings, and with 5 more to go, Jacob interrupts himself by praying, “I wait for Your salvation, LORD” (Gn 49.18). Curiously, this is the only time in Genesis the word “salvation” is used. Curiously again, Jacob does not say, “We wait,” or “They wait.” If “we” or “they” then maybe Jacob is begging God to save his sons from themselves, worthy last words. A few of the blessings describe strength (lion, donkey, and viper); so Jacob could be praying for God to save them from self-reliance. A few contain censures, so Jacob could be praying for salvation from their own personality propensities. Considering the next time this word is used is referencing Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Ex 14.13), then Jacob could be foreshadowing Israel’s slavery and salvation (Gn 15.13-16). Again, worthy last words, if Jacob had said, “we” or “they.”
Within Genesis there are many messianic subplots, even seen in the blessing given to Judah (49.10). But this prayerful exclamation does not follow Judah’s blessing. Therefore I don’t hear Jacob waiting for Christ’s salvation, although worthy last words.
“I wait” Jacob prays; “for Your salvation” Jacob welcomes. Maybe it’s my vivid imagination coupled with being easily impressed by the awe of the simple because I see something completely different than the above elegant explanations. I see something oh so very human. Jacob is old, 147 years old (Gn 47.28). In the middle of speaking of his sons’ futures, he intensely experiences both his passing present and his coming future. I hear both physical breathlessness and spiritual hopefulness. Remember, the word for salvation can also mean “deliverance.” Could Jacob simply say, “I wait your deliverance, Yahweh?” If so, how awesome. Jacob welcomes death. No more supplanting, no more struggling, no more wrestling, no more wandering. Just one last prayer before there is no need for prayer. “Lord, I am ready.” Worthy last words.
Prayer Challenge: What words would you choose as last words? As we lay down each night, let us ask God to help us review that day so we are ready. Sleeping with a clear conscience makes for easier sleep. As we close our eyes to sleep, or close our eyes as death is beckoning, may we all say, “God, I am ready, deliver me.”
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