Genesis 49

"These are the tribes of Israel, 12 in all, and this was what their father said to them.  He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing."

Genesis 49:28

This chapter gives some shockingly specific details about some of the "blessings" Jacob gives his sons...  Most of them are more what I'd call prophecy, but not blessings at all - he's pretty harsh to most of his sons.  The only sons he didn't scold were Judah, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Joseph.  Of these, only Judah and Joseph were given more than one short sentence of praise.

This chapter confirms much of what I was discussing yesterday about blessings and inheritance (these blessings are Jacob's last words to his children before he dies).  In the line of Abraham, God's chosen people, we've seen blessings given as deserved, rather than giving the largest or most lucrative portion to the oldest son.  In fact, here, Jacob's oldest son is rebuked and told that he will no longer excel!

Yesterday, I focused on family inheritance.  Today, I'd like to focus on Heavenly Inheritance.  If God's chosen nation gives blessings in this way, does it not also make sense that God Himself will give more to those who are deserving?  If you doubt that idea, look at where Jacob got his words from - the Lord told him what to say!  Also, we see a common theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments that those who are last will be first.  God's own Son was a servant to His people, and we're supposed to try to mimic His behavior, right?

Question: What inheritance do you expect to receive from the Lord?  How much of it do you deserve?  Why?