22 “Joseph is a fruitful branch,
A fruitful branch by a spring;
Its branches hang over a wall.

23 The archers provoked him,
And shot at him and were hostile toward him;

24 But his bow remained firm,
And his arms were agile,
From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),

25 From the God of your father who helps you,
And by the Almighty who blesses you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

26 The blessings of your father
Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors
Up to the furthest boundary of the everlasting hills;
May they be on the head of Joseph,
And on the top of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

27 Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
In the morning he devours the prey,
And in the evening he divides the spoils.”

Genesis 49:22-27 (NASB)

Rachel’s sons

Jacob saves the sons of his beloved wife Rachel for last. Joseph (who was already blessed in the previous chapter (through his sons, Genesis 48:17-22) and the youngest son of Jacob, Benjamin. Remember this is poetry prophecy so uses much imagery that is difficult to interpret and translate.

Joseph

Joseph was a type of Christ in that through his sufferings he was able to provide salvation for others. In battle, Joseph will remain strong; he perseveres. By what power? The writer ascribes a few different names to God:

• Mighty One of Jacob – Elohey-Israel, the strong God of Israel.
• Shepherd – Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is our Shepherd. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who lays down His life for the sheep. 
• Stone of Israel – God is the solid rock of Israel. A firm foundation. He’s the rock of salvation.
• God of your father – Beyond Isaac and Abraham, God is the true Father of Jacob and his sons…and us.
• The Almighty – EL Shaddai, God All-sufficient.

Abundant blessings

Abundant blessings are what Joseph receives. Jacob has received more blessings even than Isaac and Abraham. These also will be on Joseph. “Blessing is one of the key words of Genesis occurring some eighty-eight times in the book. Here in two verses [25 and 26], like the finale of a fireworks display, …making a brilliant climax to the last words of Jacob.” (planobiblchapel.org quoting Joel D. Heck)

Benjamin

Last (in the birth order as well) but not least. As a ravenous wolf, he will attack and take the spoils. “It is plain, Jacob was guided in what he said by a spirit of prophecy, and not by natural affection, else he would have spoken with more tenderness of his beloved son Benjamin”, (Wesley commentary)

RЯeflection

• I encourage you to meditate on these names of God. What does it mean that He is almighty? He is your Father. Take comfort in these words. Thank Him for who He is. Worship Him. It’s good for the soul.